Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive. Although the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials didn’t initially include pregnant or nursing people, recent research shows women who gave birth after being vaccinated passed on antibodies to their newborns, thus protecting them. It may also provide some immunity for nursing babies.

A study done by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard found the vaccines to be highly effective in producing antibodies in pregnant and lactating women, and that the vaccines gave protective immunity to newborns through breast milk and the placenta.

A Northwestern Medicine study also found that women who were vaccinated earlier in their third trimester had a higher likelihood of passing antibodies to their newborn babies than women who received their vaccination closer to delivery. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, might become pregnant in the future, or breastfeeding get vaccinated and stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. You can read more of CDC’s recommendations for the most up to date information

If you have questions or concerns about being vaccinated while pregnant or nursing, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider. Contacting your healthcare provider is not mandatory to receive the vaccine.