MOH (Ministry of Health) states that pregnant women (in any trimester) can be vaccinated.

Emerging observational data from vaccinated pregnant women and self-reported information do not flag up any safety signals.

Based on the mechanism of action of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines and the demonstrated safety and efficacy in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials for the non-pregnant population, the safety and efficacy profile of the vaccine for pregnant individuals should be similar to that observed in non-pregnant individuals.

Pregnant women should discuss the risks and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine with their obstetricians, prior to receving the vaccine. The vaccine may be administered in a hospital setting, arranged by their obstetricians.

The above also applies to women who find that they are pregnant after their first dose of the vaccine and are thinking of completing the second dose during the pregnancy.

MOH has announced that it is safe for women who are breastfeeding to be vaccinated. There is no need to suspend breastfeeding to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

In fact, it has been shown that the breastfeeding women produce high levels of specific anti-virus antibodies in response to the vaccine. These protective antibodies can be detected in breast milk as early as five to seven days after vaccination.

In addition to being protected themselves, breastfeeding mothers who get vaccinated have an added advantage of providing passive immunisation for their newborns as the transfer of antibodies to their babies via breastfeeding has been shown to be efficient.

​​Women planning a pregnancy can be vaccinated.

If you are concerned about the vaccine's effects on fertility, there is no evidence or theroretical reason that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can affect the fertility of women or men.

Pregnant women with symptoms of COVID-19 are two or three times more likely to give birth to their baby prematurely. Hence it is advisable for women to be vaccinated before planning for a family.