Ethical and Practical Implication of COVID-19 Vaccine among Pregnant Women

Abstract

According to the CDC Health Alert Network, as of September 27, 2021, more than 125,000 confirmed laboratory cases of COVID-19 were reported among pregnant women that resulted in more than 22,000 hospitalized cases and 161 deaths, with the highest death toll of 22 women in the month of August 2021 alone. There are many adverse pregnancy outcomes that have been reported among pregnant women who have contracted COVID-19 including severe illness, stillbirth, preterm birth, neonates’ hospital admissions into Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and death. Just one-third of pregnant women were fully vaccinated before or during pregnancy as of mid-September 2021. Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, although limited, has been growing. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding. This study examines ethical and practical implications of the COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women. In this paper, we reviewed and presented 16 cases of pregnant women who were either vaccinated or unvaccinated against COVID-19 and share their health outcomes as retrieved from media sources. The findings mirror what the literature reports on the state of COVID-19 among pregnant women. Negative outcomes reported in the literature were also reported in our case reviews. This study presents a framework that will guide providers with messaging and provide information to help pregnant women make informed decisions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.