COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and outcomes around the time of birth in Ontario
97,500+ pregnant people in Ontario gave birth from December 14, 2020 to September 30, 2021
- 23% received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy
- 64% received dose 1 in the 3rd trimester
- 99.8% received an mRNA vaccine
April 2021: Pregnant people in Ontario were designated a priority population for COVID-19 Vaccination
Findings
- No increased risk of adverse outcomes during late pregnancy or the early newborn period for those who received COVID-19 vaccination compared with those who were not vaccinated during pregnancy
- For mothers
- No increased risk of heavy bleeding after giving birth, infection in the uterus or membranes, or requiring emergency cesarean section
- For babies
- No increased risk of low 5-minute Apgar score* or requiring admission to neonatal intensive care.
- *An Apgar score is an indicator used to identify babies who may need special care, such as extra help with their breathing
The results did not change when evaluated according to:
- Number of doses received during pregnancy
- Type of mRNA vaccine
- Trimester when the vaccine was received
Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2022
This study was supported by funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, through the Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group and the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
BORN Ontario
CHEO
Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group
COVID-19 Immunity Task Force