GREEN BAY, Wis —​ Health care professionals are putting out an urgent call for pregnant women to get the vaccine.  Expecting mothers are considered at high risk for more severe illness from COVID-19.


What You Need To Know

  • Pregnant women considered at high risk for more severe illness from COVID-19

  • CDC reports at the end of July just 23% of expecting mothers had their first dose

  • New data shows vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant women, those trying to get pregnant and breastfeeding moms

Dr. Brian Dobbins, an OBGYN at Aurora BayCare’s Women’s Center, is spreading the message about the vaccine and pregnancy. 

According to new data it's safe and effective for pregnant women, those trying to get pregnant and for breastfeeding moms.  

But the CDC's own numbers show pregnant moms are not taking the agency's advice to get vaccinated. By the end of July just 23% of expecting mothers had a first dose. 

Dr. Dobbins pointed out, "if we just weighed the risks from the vaccine which are very, very small with the risk of getting COVID in pregnancy it's a no brainer you should get the vaccine."

He said there were initial concerns when the vaccine first rolled out because pregnant women were not part of study groups.  

"I think the thing that women can trust now is a lot of pregnant women have gotten the vaccine," Dr. Dobbins said. "So there is safety data that says you can trust this vaccine, and it's not harmful to you."

Some patient concerns centered around the vaccine possibly causing miscarriages and infertility. Dr. Dobbins said there were specific follow up studies and none of those concerns were validated.

He went on to say the small concern about possible side effects of the vaccine is outweighed by the risk of getting COVID-19 during pregnancy.  

"Your baby is at higher risk for being breach at delivery and there are some studies that say there's a higher risk for stillbirth," Dr. Dobbins said.

August 19 Editor's Note: Dr. Brian Dobbins title has been changed to reflect his proper position at Aurora BayCare Women's Center.