Pregnant women faced with tough decision: Should they get the COVID-19 vaccine?

ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — The coronavirus vaccine is known to be safe for the general public, according to multiple studies, but the same can’t be said for pregnant women.

They were excluded from the first vaccine trials. And now they face tough decisions on whether to get the shot or not.

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“Since I’m pregnant, I have a bunch of symptoms. Every little symptom I’m like, ‘is this it? Did I get COVID? Was my mask not proper?’” said Briana Jackson, who is six months pregnant. “It’s just a little bit different with this (vaccine). It’s newer and all the info is so jumbled, I just don’t feel comfortable.

While she’s fearful of getting the virus, the vaccine still has her worried -- whether it’s safe for her and her baby.

Another pregnant woman, Kacie Kidd, who is also a pediatrician, started to research the vaccine’s safety. She decided to get it.

“I very carefully reviewed the literature and publications for the clinical trials spoke with my own doctor and reviewed the info we had about pregnant people and how much worse they could be affected by this virus,” Kidd said.

What they realized is that there isn’t very much data on pregnant women who have received the vaccine at this point.

Dr. Richard Beigi, an OB/GYN and the president of UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital, has called for pregnant women to be included in clinical trials for all vaccines -- not just the coronavirus.

However, he said based on studies, he does recommend pregnant women get the vaccine.

“I would also respect them if they didn’t want to or were fearful. I understand that absolutely. But my advice to think hard, but at the end I would advise to take it,” Beigi said.

Beigi told Channel 11 everyone should consult their own doctor about the benefits and risks before making a decision.

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