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Pregnancy

09th Apr 2021

Covid vaccine during pregnancy may protect your baby too

Laura Cunningham

Study shows antibodies are passed from mother to baby.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine during the third trimester of pregnancy may pass some immunity on to your newborn child, according to a study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In the course of the study, 27 healthcare workers who received the jab in their third trimester of pregnancy were tested. Of the 27 women involved, 26 were found to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the time of delivering their babies. The study, which included one set of twins, also established that of the 28 babies born, 25 “demonstrated an infant antibody level about equal to maternal level”.

This may come as welcome news to pregnant Irish people awaiting their vaccination.

If you’re expecting a baby and wondering what that means for you, you can read the full HSE guidelines on getting the Covid 19 vaccine during pregnancy here.