Category: Covid-19

Feb. 23, 2021 -- When the first COVID vaccines arrived, people started talking about the light at the end of the tunnel. Then the post-holidays surge hit with record numbers of cases and deaths, virus variants emerged, and that light was feeling pretty dim. But now as cases and hospitalizations have dramatically dropped, are we finally getting close to the end of the tunnel?

How optimistic should we be that the end of the pandemic is truly, finally in sight?

Public health officials and researchers have predictions about when and how that end to the pandemic will come. Some see a serious chance for a return to some kind of normalcy in a matter of weeks. Others might wish that to be true, but believe we will still be living with the coronavirus for months to come.

For example, while top researchers said April could be the month we emerge from a long pandemic, Anthony Fauci, MD, the chief White House medical adviser on COVID-19, said this week Americans may still have to wear masks in 2022, but life will be sort of normal before then.

Here's a sampling of opinions about how optimistic we should be that the pandemic is nearing its end, and why:

Marty Makary, MD, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, predicted in a Wall Street Journal commentary, published Feb. 18, that the U.S. would reach herd immunity by April. He based this on a number of calculations, including a 77% drop in cases over the previous 6 weeks. That drop, he says, is due largely because "natural immunity from prior infection is far more common than can be measured by testing."

He estimates that testing captured only 10%-25% of all infections and that 55% of the population has natural immunity. When you add the number of people getting vaccinated -- as of mid-February, 15% of the population -- the immunity level rises. (Experts don't agree on what percentage of the population needs to have either been infected or vaccinated to reach herd immunity, with many citing 70% to 85% as the "magic" level.)

Epidemiologist Suzanne Judd, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, said this week that its possible the country is nearing herd immunity. Her comments are based on a new Columbia University study -- which has not yet been peer-reviewed -- that suggests the actual cases in the U.S. could be 10 times more than the confirmed number of cases. If the study is accurate, nearly a third of the country has already been infected.

A report in The Atlantic carries the hopeful headline: "A Quite Possibly Wonderful Summer." Its author, too, cites cases declining more rapidly than experts thought they would, the rising vaccination rates, and less dread from some experts about the effect of viral mutations.

Not so fast, others say. "At this point, the virus is in control," Michael Osterholm, PhD, a University of Minnesota infectious disease specialist and member of President Joe Biden's COVID-19 advisory board, told CBS Minnesota on Feb. 20. And if a large segment of the population declines the vaccine, that would be bad news, he says. On the other hand, if many get the vaccine, "we could be in a really good place this summer, I think particularly by late summer."

While Fauci says masks may still be needed in 2022, on Feb. 21, he told CNN's Dana Bash on State of the Union that by the end of the year, "We're going to have a significant degree of normality beyond the terrible burden that all of us have been through over the last year." He says he agrees with Biden that by the end of the year, "we will be approaching a degree of normality."

We reached out to other experts, who are guardedly optimistic.

"I think there are unequivocal reasons to be optimistic about the pandemic," says Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

Highly effective vaccines that are already protecting millions are a main reason, he says.

"The key is to stay ahead of the virus and its variants by accelerating vaccination to the highest possible degree, Adalja says.

Another reason is that the vaccines, even in the face of variants, are able to prevent serious disease, hospitalization, and death.

Adalja predicts a new normal.

"By late summer of 2021, in the U.S., many activities will be closer to normal," he says. "But the world will have changed, with more people attuned to the risks of respiratory infections, many completely adapted to online shopping, many who are wary of crowded situations, and many who continue to wear masks and social distance."

Optimism is a given, says William Schaffner, MD, a professor and infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. The question is how optimistic.

"The diminution in hospitalizations and cases that we are seeing now is a reflection of at least some herd immunity, he says.

But, he says, "My notion is that this probably is very diverse across the country," with some regions still having very low immunity levels.

Even so, Schaffner says, "I think by the end of the summer or into November, we could have a near-normal Thanksgiving and subsequent holidays, if all goes well."

But some experts worry that too much optimism might result in people letting down their guard too early, giving up preventive measures like mask-wearing and social distancing. That explains the guarded optimism from many experts.

"If my colleague at Hopkins [predicting an April end], turns out to be correct, I would cheer," Schaffner says. "But it is always better to under-promise and over-deliver."

WebMD Health News

CNN: "Fauci: 'Possible' Americans will be wearing masks in 2022 to protect against COVID-19."

Amesh Adalja, MD, senior scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Baltimore.

William Schaffner, MD, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville.

The Atlantic: "A Quite Possibly Wonderful Summer."

The Wall Street Journal: "We'll Have Herd Immunity by April."

CBS Minnesota: When Will The Pandemic End? Dr. Michael Osterholm Weighs In.

Yahoo! Finance: 'We could be approaching herd immunity': Epidemiologist on coronavirus pandemic.

Excerpt from:

Article: COVID-19: Is It Time for Optimism? - WebMD

FORT MYERS

Sniffling, fatigue and coughing are all a part of dealing with seasonal allergies. But, during the pandemic, many are wondering whether its their allergies acting up or if they have coronavirus. WINK News Health and Medical Reporter Veronica Marshall is going to help you tell the difference.

Its the time of year for allergies. Tree and grass pollen and mold are in the air and theyre irritating our immune systems.

Kimberly DeLeon struggles with her seasonal allergies. Itll make my face itchy and my eyes and then my throat will get itchy. And even like, my eyes get swollen. Its crazy, DeLeon said.

While shes used to dealing with allergies, this year is different.

When I wake up in the morning, and I feel my throat itching, I dont know whether I just need to take some allergy medicine or call my boss and be like, Hey, I need to go get a COVID test. Its hard to tell the difference, some mornings, said DeLeon.

The CDC says seasonal allergies and COVID-19 symptoms can overlap. So, for example, if youre experiencing a headache, a sore throat, or shortness of breath, how do you know if its allergies or something worse?

Robert Hawkes is the Director of FGCUs Physician Assistant Program and says to be on the lookout for the symptoms that are unique to each.

The stuffy nose, runny nose, constant sneezing, kind of sore throat, those are the common things we see with allergies, Hawkes said.

As for COVID-19, that would be losing your sense of taste and smell.

Another strategy is to keep track of the timeline and your personal history.

If people do have seasonal allergies, they know kind of late winter, early spring when things start to come out. Thats kind of when they get as we call it their normal allergy season. So if thats what theyre experiencing, then most likely it will be allergies, said Hawkes.

I know its just my sinuses. I dont have a fever or anything, I need to stop being such a worrywart, said DeLeon.

But, if it feels too close to call, experts say to contact your doctor or to go get tested.

Other symptoms that are more unique to COVID-19 and not allergies would be diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, and fever. Symptoms unique to allergies would be itchy or watery eyes and sneezing.

Continued here:

How to tell if it's COVID-19 or allergies this spring - Wink News - Wink News

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. The arrival of the COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom (UK) came as no surprise to West Virginia University scientists who study and track COVID-19 and its variants.

Thats why when WVU recently confirmed that three people in Morgantown, two of whom are students, had contracted the UK variant, scientists didnt scramble. However, many in the public did because they have heard conflicting messages in the media and from others. Dr. Peter Stoilov, an associate professor at WVU, came up with a simple to understand analogy about variants.

You can look at it as a breed of the virus, he said. For example, if you look at dogs, dogs have different breeds. A variant is a breed of a virus. Its different from the original by a number of features.

These different features are being closely studied and monitored by WVU scientists, like Stoilov. The associate professor actually leads the team of WVU scientists.

He said he and his colleagues are working hand-in-hand with Marshall University, the West Virginia DHHR, and the Monongalia Co. Health Department to make sure they are staying on top of everything.

Already, he said, there are some troubling aspects of the UK variant.

Whats somewhat troubling about these variants is that they spread faster, Stoilov said. We want to know if such viruses are going around so we can react quickly and in a focused manner so we dont affect the whole state, but we strike in certain areas.

Shutting down the entire state is no longer an option. In fact, Stoilov said, it has been proven that shutdowns can be devastating to peoples everyday lives. That is why a targeted approach to combating the UK and/or any other variant is preferred.

Ideally, Stoilov said, he and fellow scientists would like to develop treatments for variants.

We want to keep an eye on this so we can guide future therapies and future vaccine development, he said. And actually, the vaccine companies, so Moderna and Pfizer are already reacting and developing a new vaccine that would protect against the new variants better than the current versions of the vaccine.

For now, Stoilov said, there has been scientific research to show the Novavax and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are effective against both the UK and South African variants. However, there are some unknowns because a formal study hasnt been completed to see how Pfizer and Moderna vaccines perform.

Fortunately, some informal lab studies have demonstrated that even though theres some reduction of efficacy, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines still remain effective against new variants.

As scientists and drug makers work to develop new vaccines and therapies to treat current and future variants, the public can play an important role.

In addition to vaccination, I would like to strongly encourage everybody to wear masks, Stoilov said. This is still a very effective way of preventing the virus spread. Were doing a great job. If you look at the numbers, the infections are dropping off precipitously in the past few weeks, so lets just keep up doing what were doing.

He added that members of the public needs to still make plans to get vaccinated the first chance they get.

They should vaccinate themselves as soon as they get the chance. I strongly encourage vaccination. These vaccines will protect against the new variants.

Read more here:

A Team of WVU scientists are actively studying and fighting COVID-19 variants - WBOY.com

Houston Health Department opens 1,000 new COVID-19 vaccination appointments for February 24

February 23, 2021

UPDATE: The new slots filled in approximately six minutes. Learn about new appointment opportunities through email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for the HoustonRecovers subscription of AlertHouston at AlertHouston.org.

HOUSTON- The Houston Health Department opened 1,000 new COVID-19 vaccination appointment slots Tuesday night. The appointments are for first doses only on February 24, 2021 at Bayou City Event Center.

People who fall under Phase 1A or 1B of the states criteria can visitHoustonEmergency.org/covid19(or this direct link: bit.ly/HHDvax022421)to self-register. The appointment portal will close when the slots are full.

Appointments are only confirmed upon receipt of an email or text message and confirmation numbers will be verified on site. People who show up without confirmed appointments will be turned away.

The new appointments are possible because of 9,000 additional doses received by the health department on Tuesday. The shipment was delayed due to last weeks winter storm.

The department anticipates opening additional appointment slots this week.

People can learn about new appointment opportunities through email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for theHoustonRecoverssubscription of AlertHouston atAlertHouston.org.

The new appointments are separate from the departments waitlist for the FEMA-supported NRG Park vaccination site, which remains open to people 65 and older and people 60 and older with chronic health conditions. People can register for the waitlist atHoustonEmergency.org/covid19or by calling 832-393-4301.

See the article here:

Houston Health Department opens 1,000 new COVID-19 vaccination appointments for February 24 - City of Houston

Perspective of patients with autoimmune diseases on COVID-19 vaccination  The Lancet

Go here to see the original:

Perspective of patients with autoimmune diseases on COVID-19 vaccination - The Lancet

FLORENCE The state of Oregon has fined a Florence restaurant nearly $18,000 for willfully exposing workers to COVID-19 after an investigation in which officials say compliance officers were threatened.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday announced the fine for The New Blue Hen, The Register-Guard reported.

The New Blue Hen, doing business as Little Brown Hen Caf, had been allowing indoor dining since at least Dec. 26, a state investigation found.

The business did so despite knowing it was violating a public health order limiting the capacity for indoor dining to zero in an extreme risk county, the state news release said.

The restaurant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Complaints about the restaurant led to an inspection during which, several people including one carrying a firearm blocked the business entrance and threatened compliance officers on Jan. 4, according to the state.

The state assigned two compliance officers and both identified themselves during the inspection and asked to speak to the owner, the state said, at which point they were threatened.

The people at the entrance followed them to their cars shouting at them as they left, officials said.

Inspectors were able to give visual confirmation of indoor dining.

Michael Wood, administrator for Oregon OSHA, imposed the $17,800 penalty, which is twice the minimum penalty for a willful violation to reflect the need to ensure a more appropriate deterrent effect where employers insist on disregarding public health measures.

The restaurant has 30 days to appeal.

--The Associated Press

Original post:

Oregon coast caf fined nearly $18K over COVID-19 rules - OregonLive

Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health (DOH) today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvanias COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data and encouraged Pennsylvanians to download theCOVID Alert PA app, as more than 790,000 have already done to aid in contact tracing efforts. There are 40 counties in the substantial level of COVID-19 transmission rate.

Thank you to all residents who are participating in their case investigation, both through the traditional means and through the Connect & Protect Form digital case investigation as well as the public health professionals who are working tirelessly to reach as many residents as possible each week, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. Remember, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and are between the ages of 19 and 64 living within a county without its own health department, you will receive a call from a contact tracer and will be asked to complete and return your form as a part of the case investigation process. By participating in this proven public health practice, you can help public health professionals to effectively contact trace in order to anonymously inform and monitor your close contacts who have been exposed.

Thecontact tracing processis not possible without a case investigation by a public health professional. Across the commonwealth, there are 200 case investigators who reach out to incoming cases who are younger than 19 and older than 64 to find out where they went and with whom they came into contact in order to prevent outbreaks while infectious. This case investigation typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. For those who are between 19 and 64 years old and reside in an area without their own county or municipal health department, they will be contacted by a contact tracer to complete a Connect & Protect Form to initiate a digital case investigation in effort to connect to more people.

For this reporting week between Saturday, February 7- Sunday, February 13, there were 23,492 COVID-19 cases statewide. Of those cases reported within that week, 28 percent, or 6,578 cases, had a case investigation started within 24 hours of receiving the positive report. Public health professionals will continue calling to complete the case investigation after the 24-hour period. An additional eight percent, or 1,879 cases, had a case investigation started within 48 hours.

Although public health professionals may call to start the case investigation, the individual may not answer the call on the first attempt. The Department of Health leaves voicemails, texts, and sends a letter to the home requesting a return call. There were 5,781 people, or 25 percent of cases, in this reported week that were successfully contacted by a public health professional statewide.

In addition to the traditional case investigations, contact tracers will call to reach and share a Connect & Protect Form to initiate a digital case investigation. There are now a total of 325 contact tracers working to assist this process specifically. For this reporting week between February 6 - February 13, contact tracers made 7,455 calls to reach 67 percent, or 4,957 individuals, successfully. Of the 4,225 that were sent forms, 36 percent, or 1,523 were returned. Since the implementation of the form on December 21, 2020 until February 13, we have received over 10,366 completed forms.

Therefore, there were 7,304 individuals, or more than 31 percent of cases, for whom a case investigation has been successfully completed this week.

After the initial case investigation is complete, contact tracing begins. Within the same time period of February 6 - 13, there were 1,538 contact tracing staff working with local and county health entities, partner organizations as well as volunteers from Co-County Wellness in Berks County and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. These staff monitored 5,262 contacts who were identified during the case investigations.

Currently, all of the allotted 1,090 people have been hired through Insight Global. Some of these staff have been promoted to perform case investigations to meet the immediate needs of increased caseloads. There are 50 case investigators, 40 supervisors, and 10 resource coordinators who also help to refer Pennsylvanians to services during quarantine across the commonwealth.

Since the implementation of the Contact Tracing Management System in early October through February 13 in those areas of the state where Pennsylvania Department of Health is responsible for contact tracing, 82,400 of 108,000 contacts, or 76 percent of the total contacts identified, were effectively reached to communicate their quarantine status and offer ongoing symptom monitoring.

Between February 6 and February 13 there have been:

4,637 contacts have been processed for areas where PA DOH has jurisdiction;

3,251 people, or 70 percent of the total contacts identified, have been effectively reached to communicate their quarantine status and offer ongoing symptom monitoring;

1,386 people, or about 30 percent of the total contacts, were not reached.

On September 22, the department launchedCOVID Alert PA, a free mobile app that uses Bluetooth technology to let a person know that they have been exposed to COVID-19 without compromising the identity or location of either the person using the app, or of the person to whom they may have been exposed.

The Department of Health has made updates the COVID Alert PA app to allow 13- through 17-year-old residents with parental consent to download the app and four new languages. This app is interoperable with16 other states that also utilize the same notification exposure app technology.

In addition to the traditional case investigations and contact tracing process, there have been 1,592 cases that confirmed their positivity and uploaded their random IDs through the app. These uploads generated 763 exposure alerts to persons who have downloaded the app on their phones and who were in close contact (six feet for 15 minutes or more) to the case. Of those who received the alerts, 105 individuals requested a call back for further assistance from a trained contact tracer.

As the contact tracing program expands, the Department of Health continues to work in partnership with over 150 organizations, in addition to the county and municipal health departments, through regional partnerships to help gather and answer questions, identify problems and find solutions to improve contact tracing efforts within the region. Each regional partnership has met at least once, and includes public health staff, health providers, academic institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in helping to coordinate and engage around contact tracing efforts.

Organizations and entities interested in partnering in these efforts should reach out toRA-DHCONTACTTRACING@pa.gov.

You can find more information on the states contact tracing efforts at the Department of Healths websitehere

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient.

The Your Turn tool provides a way to register to be alerted when its your turn to be vaccinated.

A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.

Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.

Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on thePennsylvania COVID-19 Interim VaccinationPlan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topicshere.

Frequently asked questions can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.

Clean surfaces frequently.

Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for covid alert pa.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

Daily COVID-19 Report

Press releases regarding coronavirus

Latest information on the coronavirus

Photos of the states lab in Exton(for download and use)

Coronavirus and preparedness graphics(located at the bottom of the page)

Community preparedness and procedures materials

MEDIA CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo - ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

# # #

Read more:

Department of Health Feb. 7-13 Update On COVID-19 Investigations, Contact Tracing, Monitoring Efforts: Pennsylvanians Urged To 'Answer the Call,'...

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of February 23, 2021, there have been 2,127,566 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 130,139 total cases and 2,274 total deaths.

DHHR has confirmed the deaths of an 83-year old female from Wyoming County, a 60-year old female from Mercer County, an 86-year old female from Randolph County, a 59-year old male from Lewis County, a 75-year old male from Preston County, a 79-year old male from Mercer County, a 77-year old female from McDowell County, an 86-year old female from Lewis County, a 103-year old male from Mercer County, a 70-year old female from Mercer County, and a 70-year old female from Mingo County.

Today is another difficult day in our fight against COVID-19, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. As we work to slow the growth of this virus in West Virginia, we extend our deepest sympathies to these families.

CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (1,176), Berkeley (9,596), Boone (1,549), Braxton (773), Brooke (2,002), Cabell (7,719), Calhoun (223), Clay (370), Doddridge (465), Fayette (2,616), Gilmer (705), Grant (1,052), Greenbrier (2,380), Hampshire (1,504), Hancock (2,577), Hardy (1,263), Harrison (4,809), Jackson (1,646), Jefferson (3,585), Kanawha (11,920), Lewis (1,020), Lincoln (1,209), Logan (2,667), Marion (3,622), Marshall (2,987), Mason (1,757), McDowell (1,341), Mercer (4,175), Mineral (2,575), Mingo (2,104), Monongalia (7,815), Monroe (937), Morgan (925), Nicholas (1,164), Ohio (3,603), Pendleton (617), Pleasants (798), Pocahontas (582), Preston (2,519), Putnam (4,165), Raleigh (4,605), Randolph (2,371), Ritchie (613), Roane (491), Summers (700), Taylor (1,074), Tucker (496), Tyler (612), Upshur (1,658), Wayne (2,585), Webster (296), Wetzel (1,068), Wirt (349), Wood (6,978), Wyoming (1,731).

Delays may be experienced with the reporting of information from the local health department to DHHR. As case surveillance continues at the local health department level, it may reveal that those tested in a certain county may not be a resident of that county, or even the state as an individual in question may have crossed the state border to be tested. Such is the case of Harrison County in this report.

Read the original here:

COVID-19 Daily Update 2-23-2021 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

There are some clues already. Researchers have identified an association between type O and rhesus negative blood groups, and a lower risk of severe disease. But while scientists have hypothesised that people with certain blood types may naturally have antibodies capable of recognising some aspect of the virus, the precise nature of the link remains unclear.

But Bobe is far from the only scientist attempting to tease apart what makes Covid-19 outliers unique. Mayana Zatz, director of the Human Genome Research Centre at the University of So Paulo has identified 100 couples, where one person got Covid-19 but their partner was not infected. Her team is now studying them in the hope of identifying genetic markers of resilience. "The idea is to try and find why some people who are heavily exposed to the virus do not develop Covid-19 and remain serum negative with no antibodies," she says. "We found out that this is apparently relatively common. We received about 1,000 emails of people saying that they were in this situation."

Zatz is also analysing the genomes of 12 centenarians who have only been mildly affected by the coronavirus, including one 114-year-old woman in Recife who she believes to be the oldest person in the world to have recovered from Covid-19. While Covid-19 has been particularly deadly to the older generations, elderly people who are remarkably resistant could offer clues for new ways to help the vulnerable survive future pandemics.

But while cases of remarkable resilience are particularly eye-catching for some geneticists, others are much more interested in outliers at the other end of the spectrum. Over the past couple of months, studies of these patients have already yielded key insights into exactly why the Sars-CoV-2 virus can be so deadly.

Disrupting the body's alarm system

Last summer, Qian Zhang had arrived for a dental appointment when her dentist turned to her and asked, "How come some people end up in intensive care with Covid-19, while my sister got it and didn't even know she was positive?"

As a geneticist working at The Rockefeller University, New York, it was a question that Zhang was particularly well equipped to answer. Over the past 20 years, Rockefeller scientists have probed the human genome for clues as to why some people become unexpectedly and severely ill when infected by common viruses ranging from herpes to influenza. "In every infectious disease we've looked at, you can always find outliers who become severely ill, because they have genetic mutations which make them susceptible," says Zhang.

More:

The disease-resistant patients exposing Covid-19's weak spots - BBC News

UAB experts explain why women should not have concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines impacting their fertility goals.

UAB experts explain why women should not have concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines impacting their fertility goals.As more data and information become known about the COVID-19 vaccinations available to the public, more questions arise from specific populations about how the vaccine could potentially impact their health.

For women of child-bearing age and those wishing to pursue pregnancy in the near future, weighing the risks and benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine are a top priority. Is there any reason to have concerns about the vaccines impact on fertility? Two University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine experts explain why the vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect oneself from COVID-19, regardless of fertility aspirations.

In a joint statement from leading womens reproductive professional organizations the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, experts say:

As experts in reproductive health, we continue to recommend that the vaccine be available to pregnant individuals. We also assure patients that there is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility. While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Loss of fertility is scientifically unlikely.

Deidre Gunn, M.D., assistant professor and fertility specialist in UABs Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, echoes the organizations statement and agrees there is no reason to believe that the vaccine would be harmful to pregnant or lactating women or to those trying to conceive.

Based on the available data in both humans and in animals the vaccine does not affect fertility, but it does significantly lower the risk of COVID infection and the risk of severe complications from COVID, Gunn said. Individual circumstances may vary, and patients should talk to their doctors about any questions or concerns; but in general, the benefits of the COVID vaccine outweigh the risks for most pregnant women and women trying to conceive.

Gunn notes that, although pregnant women were not included in the first vaccine trials, some women did become pregnant during the study period; in fact, a similar number got pregnant after receiving the vaccine as those who got the placebo, suggesting that there was no adverse effect on fertility.

Similarly, Jodie Dionne-Odom, M.D., associate director of Global Health in the UAB Center for Womens Reproductive Health and infectious diseases consultant on the American Society for Reproductive Medicines COVID-19 Task Force, explains that misinformation can be a factor in why women are objecting the vaccine, if eligible.

Some women are hearing dangerous myths about the COVID-19 vaccine, Dionne-Odom said. In response to misinformation, I find it helpful to be direct and clear: There is no scientific data that supports a link between COVID-19 vaccine and changes in fertility. When I talk to women who are interested in becoming pregnant now or down the road, I strongly encourage COVID-19 vaccination since it offers the best protection.

For women who anticipate becoming pregnant in the next few months or near future, both Gunn and Dionne-Odom caution that the risk of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy could be more detrimental to a womans health, a risk that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine could prevent.

COVID infection is much more dangerous for pregnant women compared to women the same age who are not pregnant, Gunn said. If you get COVID while pregnant, you are much more likely to be in the ICU, on a ventilator, with a higher risk of death. There is also a higher risk of preterm birth and related complications. Knowing that the benefit of vaccination outweighs the potential risk of infection complications should give those contemplating pregnancy a sense of relief. We have the protection we need; it is important to encourage those who are healthy and eligible to become inoculated.

Notably, Gunn adds that preliminary vaccine evidence is starting to suggest that a woman who receives the vaccine during pregnancy actually passes on helpful antibodies to the baby.

More here:

Addressing fertility questions and concerns with the COVID-19 vaccine - UAB News