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Local OB/GYN Medical Professionals Issue Joint
Statement Recommending COVID-19 Vaccine for Pregnant and Breastfeeding
Women
Published: October 27, 2021
at 03:30 p.m.
By: Joint Press Release from Samaritan Medical Center
and Fort Drum OB/GYN Clinic
LOCAL OB/GYN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ISSUE JOINT
STATEMENT RECOMMENDING COVID-19 VACCINE FOR PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING
WOMEN
Statement Echoes National Obstetric Associations’ Assertion
that the Vaccine is Safe & Effective
WATERTOWN, NY,
October 26, 2021 --- Today, Samaritan Medical Center and the Fort Drum
OB/GYN clinic jointly voice their recommendation that individuals across
all reproductive stages—including those who would like to get pregnant, are
currently pregnant, or are breastfeeding—get the COVID-19 vaccination to
help protect themselves and their loved ones.
Dr. John P.
Barrett, MD, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Samaritan Medical Center,
has this message: “As an OB/GYN in our community, I know that you, like
many women, may be fearful of the unknown and about introducing the vaccine
into your body while you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or
breastfeeding. I feel compelled to step forward to reassure you that the
COVID-19 vaccination is safe and highly recommended to help prevent you,
your baby, and others around you from getting this virus.”
The Fort Drum
OB/GYN Department echoes Dr. Barrett’s comments, stating: “Our department
supports the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), the
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the American College of
Nurse-Midwives, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal
Nurses, and the Center for Disease Control recommendation that pregnant and
breastfeeding women receive the COVID-19 vaccination to help prevent severe
illness and death.”
“The data from
ongoing studies show there is no increased risk to the mother or the fetus
from the vaccine. We know that the vaccine is extremely effective in
preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and maternal death. We
also know that the current variants of the COVID-19 virus are more harmful
to the pregnant woman and her unborn infant. We have seen severe
illness in our local pregnant population and across the Army in seemingly
healthy women.”
“We understand
the difficult decision that new mothers must make regarding whether to
vaccinate in this unprecedented pandemic. A lot of conflicting information
can make the decision to vaccinate even more difficult. We urge the
patients we serve to discuss your concerns and questions regarding the
COVID-19 vaccine and the virus with our clinic providers who can provide
you with the most up-to-date information.”
Dr. Barrett goes
on to state that the statements issued by at least twenty-seven national
obstetric, gynecologic, and other healthcare associations in support of the
COVID-19 vaccination across the reproductive cycle “reflects evidence
demonstrating the safe use of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy from
tens of thousands of reporting individuals over the last several months.”
“Data has shown
that getting the COVID-19 virus puts pregnant women and their newborns at
increased risk of severe complications and even death,” cautioned Dr.
Barrett. “Pregnant women who have decided to wait until after delivery to
be vaccinated may be inadvertently exposing themselves and their babies to
an increased risk of severe illness or death.”
Dr. Barrett
concludes by stating: “As an OB/GYN provider, I have witnessed first-hand
pregnant patients giving birth while fighting COVID-19. As their doctor, it
is scary and worrisome. I recognize that getting the vaccine IS an
individual choice, and I firmly believe that choosing to get vaccinated is
in your best interests and the best interests of your baby. Given the known
safety of the vaccine, as well as the increased risk of severe
complications from COVID-19 during pregnancy, the worst being death, I
wholeheartedly echo ACOG, SMFH, and others in enthusiastically recommending
vaccination. Do it for yourself and your baby.”
Individuals who
have questions about the COVID-19 vaccination and their reproductive health
are urged to speak with their OB/GYN provider. Furthermore, Fort Drum
Regional Health Planning Organization, in partnership with local healthcare
providers, is now offering a webform service called “Ask a Doc,” in which
individuals may submit their question(s) about the COVID-19 vaccine using a
simple online form. The questions are not limited to those
regarding reproductive health or pregnancy. Local medical professionals
will call individuals within 1-2 business days to answer their question(s).
Click HERE to view the form and submit your questions.
For more
information about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine, contact your local
public health agency or visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.
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About Fort Drum
Regional Health Planning Organization
The Fort Drum
Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) works to strengthen
the system for health for the integrated Fort Drum and civilian
community through analysis, identification of needs and leveraging of
resources to fill gaps through innovation and collaboration. For more about
FDRHPO, visit www.fdrhpo.org.
About Fort Drum
Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC)
The U.S. Army
Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) – Fort Drum is the Fort Drum community
and 10th Mountain Division’s first choice for health readiness, providing
medical services and healthcare management to more than 42,000 Soldiers,
family members, retirees, federal civilians, and Soldiers for Life.
About Samaritan
Medical Center
Samaritan Medical
Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical
center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare
services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and
surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care,
behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan
Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serve the
medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion,
and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered
at Samaritan.
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