TULSA, Okla. — Children and pregnant women are two groups that have not received very many answers on how the COVID-19 vaccine would affect them or where they stand in the distribution process.
“Definitely worried about it, especially about myself being pregnant. How is it going to affect me,” new mother, Chelsey Norris asked as she prepares to bring her second child into the world.
Chief COVID Officer Dr. Dale Bratzler at the University of Oklahoma said it will be a while before the public finds out how the COVID-19 vaccine affects children and pregnant women.
“We don’t know how well the vaccine will work in pregnant females and children because it hasn’t been studied,” Dr. Bratzler said. “I think, when the vaccine first comes out, most likely, the FDA will approve them for use in adults. Clinical trials will be ongoing for children and pregnant women.”
While the verdict is still out on whether pregnant women should get a coronavirus vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests they should be vaccinated against whooping cough and flu.
READ MORE: Oklahoma State Department of Health releases draft of COVID-19 vaccination plan
Pregnant women are included in the Oklahoma State Health Department’s vaccination plan. They are categorized as “people with underlying medical conditions." That group will not receive the vaccine until phase four of distribution, the final phase.
Students in pre-K to college level are in phase three of distribution. The state’s vaccine plans could change as only a working draft is currently released.
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