Key TakeawaysNew data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that when pregnant people were vaccinated against COVID-19, their babies younger than 6 months old were 61% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID.It’s believed that antibodies from the vaccines are transferred across the placenta to the developing fetus.The COVID protection that babies get lasts for 3 to 6 months after birth.

Key Takeaways

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that when pregnant people were vaccinated against COVID-19, their babies younger than 6 months old were 61% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID.It’s believed that antibodies from the vaccines are transferred across the placenta to the developing fetus.The COVID protection that babies get lasts for 3 to 6 months after birth.

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who got vaccinated against COVID-19 while they were pregnant are likely to pass protection on to their newborns.

The COVID vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective for pregnant people. The new data also provides reassurance to parents that their babies will also get the shots’ benefits.

What to Know About Pregnancy and COVID-19

Researchers looked at 379 infants under the age of 6 months in 17 states. Of the babies in the study, 176had COVIDand 203 did not have COVID.

The babies were seen at 20 different children’s hospitals in the United States from July 2021 to January 2022.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Infants?

What the Data Showed

After analyzing the data, the researchers found that:

WHO: Both COVID-19 Vaccines OK If You’re Pregnant

Did the Data Have Limitations?

Overall, experts have commented that the data are not surprising, considering the growing body of research showing that vaccines are safe during pregnancy—and that they work.

CDC: Risk of Stillbirth Is Higher Among Pregnant People With COVID

How Is Immunity Passed?

Antony said that when a person gets vaccinated, their body naturally makes the proteins that the immune system needs to help fight infection (antibodies).

When a vaccine is given to a pregnant person, these antibodies can cross theplacentaand get to the fetus.

Why It’s Important for Pregnant People to Get a Second COVID-19 Shot

Risks of Being Unvaccinated

There were also several key findings in the data that demonstrate the risks of being unvaccinated:

Alan Fishman, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and the medical director for Obstetrix Medical Group of San Jose, told Verywell that “unvaccinated people are much more susceptible to infection and complications from COVID-19 than vaccinated people are.”

As a result, Fishman pointed out, “most of the hospitalizations for COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.”

Alan Fishman, MDMost of the hospitalizations for COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.

Alan Fishman, MD

Most of the hospitalizations for COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.

According to Fishman, unvaccinated pregnant people “do not confer any protection to their developing babies and those infants are at a much higher risk of sickness.”

Can Pregnant and Breastfeeding People Get the COVID Vaccine?

How Long Does Protection Last?

The CDC data showed that the babies of people who were fully vaccinated while pregnant were less likely to be hospitalized for COVID in the first 6 months of life.

Antibodies from a COVID vaccine during pregnancy likely protect a newborn for about 3 to 6 months after birth.

“The antibodies start to decrease within the first few weeks to months of life depending on the type of antibody, how much was present, and whether there was a higher circulating amount of that antibody in the pregnant person’s blood or not,” said Antony. “Antibodies can last somewhere between a 3- to a 6-month window, but some can last up to 12 months.”

Fishman said that the protection falls over the course of 3–6 months because passiveimmunitywanes as the circulating antibodies that babies get from a pregnant parent are metabolized and slowly disappear.

Pregnant People Hospitalized for COVID May Fare Better Than Patients Who Aren’t Pregnant

Vaccination Later in Pregnancy

The researchers found that protection from the vaccine was stronger when people received the shots later in pregnancy. The data showed that:

Carlos Acuña-Villaorduña, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Boston University School of Medicine, told Verywell that based on existing studies, this finding could be attributed to vaccine-induced immunity decreasing over time.

The researchers also highlighted that it’s not yet clear when during pregnancy is the ideal time to get vaccinated.

How to Talk to Your Provider About COVID Vaccines During Pregnancy

If You’re Pregnant, Get Vaccinated

According to the CDC, the approved COVID vaccines are safe for pregnant people. They do not cause infertility or pregnancy complications.

However, data has also shown that when pregnant people get COVID, they are at an increased risk of severe complications and death.

Carlos Acuna-Villaorduña, MDVaccines are safe during pregnancy.

Carlos Acuna-Villaorduña, MD

Vaccines are safe during pregnancy.

Babies, too, are at high risk if they get COVID. The researchers emphasized that infants younger than 6 months old may have “life-threatening complications from COVID-19, including acute respiratory failure.”

“Pregnant people are worried about COVID in their children—especially because we know that babies are immunologically vulnerable,” said Antony, adding that the new research is “just an excellent bonus and another good reason to get vaccinated.”

Getting vaccinated while you’re pregnant isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s also the best thing that you can do to protect a child who is going to be born into a COVID world.

“Vaccines are safe during pregnancy,” said Acuña-Villaorduña. “Vaccines have not been associated with miscarriage events or unintended consequences.”

The CDC also recommends that you get vaccinated if you’re planning to get pregnant or arebreastfeeding.

CDC Data Highlights Likelihood of Severe COVID-19 During Pregnancy

Other Ways to Protect Newborns

After getting vaccinated, Antony said that wearing masks, hand washing, socially distancing, and limiting exposure can help keep babies safe from COVID.

What This Means For You

People Hospitalized for COVID More Likely to Develop Long-Term Conditions

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Halasa NB, Olson SM, Staat MA, et al.Effectiveness of maternal vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy against COVID-19–associated hospitalization in infants aged <6 months — 17 states, July 2021–January 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(7):264-270. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7107e3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibodies and COVID-19.Yale Medicine.COVID-19 boosters: the latest advice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Planning for pregnancy.Stock SJ, Carruthers J, Calvert C, et al.SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination rates in pregnant women in Scotland.Nat Med. Published online January 13, 2022. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01666-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breastfeeding and caring for newborns if you have COVID-19.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Halasa NB, Olson SM, Staat MA, et al.Effectiveness of maternal vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy against COVID-19–associated hospitalization in infants aged <6 months — 17 states, July 2021–January 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(7):264-270. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7107e3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibodies and COVID-19.Yale Medicine.COVID-19 boosters: the latest advice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Planning for pregnancy.Stock SJ, Carruthers J, Calvert C, et al.SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination rates in pregnant women in Scotland.Nat Med. Published online January 13, 2022. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01666-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breastfeeding and caring for newborns if you have COVID-19.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Halasa NB, Olson SM, Staat MA, et al.Effectiveness of maternal vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy against COVID-19–associated hospitalization in infants aged <6 months — 17 states, July 2021–January 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(7):264-270. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7107e3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibodies and COVID-19.Yale Medicine.COVID-19 boosters: the latest advice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Planning for pregnancy.Stock SJ, Carruthers J, Calvert C, et al.SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination rates in pregnant women in Scotland.Nat Med. Published online January 13, 2022. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01666-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breastfeeding and caring for newborns if you have COVID-19.

Halasa NB, Olson SM, Staat MA, et al.Effectiveness of maternal vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy against COVID-19–associated hospitalization in infants aged <6 months — 17 states, July 2021–January 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(7):264-270. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7107e3

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibodies and COVID-19.

Yale Medicine.COVID-19 boosters: the latest advice.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Planning for pregnancy.

Stock SJ, Carruthers J, Calvert C, et al.SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination rates in pregnant women in Scotland.Nat Med. Published online January 13, 2022. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01666-2

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breastfeeding and caring for newborns if you have COVID-19.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?