Date of Award
Spring 2022
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Kimberly Erikson, MSPAS, PA-C
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 800,000 deaths in the United States since it was first detected here in 2020. Despite there being 3 available COVID-19 vaccines in the US, and recommendations by the CDC and countless other public health agencies that any potential risks are outweighed by the benefit of the vaccines, only 31% of pregnant women in the US are vaccinated against COVID-19 due to unfounded claims by an anti-vaccination movement that COVID mRNA vaccines cause infertility. This presentation explores where these claims originated, why they are untrue, the risks of COVID-19 infections in pregnancy, and the potential benefits of the vaccines. It is important for clinicians to be educated on vaccine safety during a public health emergency of this scale.
Recommended Citation
Zacharias, Lauren, "The Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy" (2022). Capstone Showcase. 55.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2022/pa/55
Included in
The Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy
SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 800,000 deaths in the United States since it was first detected here in 2020. Despite there being 3 available COVID-19 vaccines in the US, and recommendations by the CDC and countless other public health agencies that any potential risks are outweighed by the benefit of the vaccines, only 31% of pregnant women in the US are vaccinated against COVID-19 due to unfounded claims by an anti-vaccination movement that COVID mRNA vaccines cause infertility. This presentation explores where these claims originated, why they are untrue, the risks of COVID-19 infections in pregnancy, and the potential benefits of the vaccines. It is important for clinicians to be educated on vaccine safety during a public health emergency of this scale.