ABC6: Pregnant and on the Frontline

When OhioHealth nurse practitioner Jennifer Wagner found out she was pregnant in October, she wasn't working on the COVID-19 front lines.  

Then in November, she was asked to redeploy to help out another area, which meant she would be working with COVID-19 positive patients most days at OhioHealth Urgent Care - Dublin.

The following month, the COVID-19 vaccine was approved under emergency use authorization and available to healthcare workers.  But being pregnant, Jennifer wondered if the vaccine was safe for her and her baby.  She spoke with her obstetrician and primary care doctor and did some of her own research,  including from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Ultimately, she decided to proceed with getting vaccinated.

"I am higher risk if I were to get COVID of getting very ill and seeing COVID positive patients every day. I am more concerned about the long-term effects of COVID than the vaccine," Wagner told ABC6 reporter Haley Nelson.

"Although the absolute risk is low, pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of severe illness. Additionally pregnant women may be at an increased risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome," said Joseph Gastaldo, MD, OhioHealth system medical director of infectious diseases. "Basically, it boils down to a risk versus benefit. We know based on animal studies that messenger RNA vaccines are safe," he said.

To see the full story, click on the ABC6 logo below.  If you are pregnant and wondering if the vaccine is right for you, please speak with your physician.