As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely available, many women are wondering if it's safe for women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant and for women who are breastfeeding. Samantha Morton, MD, with Carolina Women's Physicians recently appeared on WLTX to answer those questions. 


Pregnant women have a greater risk for developing serious complications from the COVID-19 virus than the general population. 

Though we are still learning about the virus and the vaccine, ongoing studies indicate the vaccine is safe for pregnant women. Dr. Morton notes the mRNA technology used in the vaccine is not new and since there is no live virus in the vaccine, women cannot get the virus from the vaccine.  

She also points out there is no indication the vaccine will have any effect on future fertility. 

Dr. Morton say the vaccine is also safe for breastfeeding mothers. In fact, the antibodies a breastfeeding mother develops after receiving the vaccine are transferred to her baby through her breast milk. Therefore, the vaccine can protect both mother and baby.

Both the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the vaccine be offered to pregnant and breastfeeding women. 


Samantha S. Morton, MD, FACOG, Carolina Women's Physicians