In a renewed public health advisory, Canadian doctors are strongly urging pregnant individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, emphasizing that the shot is safe, effective, and critical in protecting both expectant mothers and their unborn babies from serious complications related to the virus.
The call to action comes from leading Canadian obstetricians, gynecologists, and infectious disease experts who say mounting evidence confirms the safety of mRNA vaccines during all trimesters of pregnancy. Their message is clear: the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any potential risks.
“Pregnant people are at higher risk for severe outcomes if they contract COVID-19, including hospitalization, intensive care admission, and even preterm birth,” said Dr. Tali Bogler, Chair of Family Medicine Obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. “Vaccination is one of the best tools we have to reduce those risks.”
The updated recommendation aligns with guidance from international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both of which have supported COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant individuals since 2021. In Canada, medical organizations such as the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) also back this advice.
Doctors are especially concerned about the persistently low vaccination uptake among pregnant Canadians, driven largely by misinformation, fear of unknown long-term effects, and inconsistent messaging early in the pandemic. However, experts say those concerns are no longer valid in light of extensive research and real-world data.
A recent Canadian study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada revealed that vaccinated pregnant individuals had significantly lower rates of serious COVID-19 illness compared to their unvaccinated counterparts. The vaccine also reduced the risk of stillbirth and other pregnancy-related complications.
Dr. Bogler and others are calling on healthcare providers to proactively discuss vaccination with their pregnant patients and address any lingering fears.
“We now have data from hundreds of thousands of pregnant individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and the results are consistently reassuring,” she said. “It’s time to put myths to rest and protect mothers and babies.”
The recommendation includes booster doses, particularly for those who may be in their second or third trimester during the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Health officials also remind the public that maternal vaccination offers an added benefit—antibodies developed by the mother can pass through the placenta, offering protection to the newborn in the first few months of life.
Despite a decline in COVID-19 case severity compared to earlier stages of the pandemic, medical professionals warn that the virus remains unpredictable. They stress that pregnant individuals, who are already immunologically vulnerable, must take extra precautions.
“The message is not just about COVID—it’s about overall maternal health and ensuring the safest pregnancy outcomes possible,” said Dr. Eliana Castillo, a Calgary-based maternal-fetal medicine specialist. “Vaccination remains one of our most powerful tools.”
As public health campaigns continue to shift focus toward vaccine awareness and accessibility, Canadian doctors hope that renewed clarity on COVID-19 vaccine safety in pregnancy will help bridge the gap and increase uptake among expecting parents nationwide.
Swifteradio.com
