Have Questions About
the COVID Vaccine?
The providers at Alaska Women’s Health are proud to all be vaccinated.
We’re excited to be doing our part in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and we’re thrilled to see others in our community following suit. Our team is committed to doing everything we can to keep our patients safe during this pandemic, so we’re here to answer all your questions.
Meet Sylvia Moses, M.D.
Dr. Moses has been pregnant while caring for Alaska Women’s Health patients throughout the pandemic. She was the first of us to be vaccinated and she did it while breastfeeding.
Should I get the COVID vaccine?
As Alaska’s leading women’s health center, we have had a lot of questions about OBGYN services and the coronavirus vaccine. There are two different types of vaccine currently available: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Our providers have had both and will be happy to talk you through the risks and benefits. The decision to be vaccinated is entirely up to each individual, but it’s definitely something we recommend for all our patients and would love to discuss with you.
Is the COVID vaccine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
The CDC, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine have all indicated their support of vaccinations for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It’s true that none of the vaccines were studied in pregnant or lactating women, and we really wish they were. That means it comes down to a risk/benefit analysis for each woman.
It’s important to note that any risks associated with receiving the COVID vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding are theoretical, whereas we know the risks of getting coronavirus are very real.
Meet Amanda Beery, M.D.
“It’s very important for us to do everything we can to keep our patients, ourselves and our staff safe during the pandemic and to provide care with sensitivity. On top of following CDC guidelines, we knew that getting the vaccine was the best way for us to keep caring for our patient. We hope that people will look to their doctors when making decisions about their own health.”
What’s it like to get the COVID vaccine?
The COVID vaccine is a standard vaccination, just like many others you would have received in your arm over the course of your life. It’s normal to experience some pain or tenderness in your arm once you’ve received the shot, and people have had a number of other symptoms, but all of the Alaska Women’s Health providers received it without experiencing any serious side effects.
The only thing to keep in mind is the fact that you’ll need to schedule your shots. The COVID vaccine requires two injections a specific time apart from each other, which requires some advance planning. That’s why it’s important to start thinking about it even before you become eligible.
How is Alaska Women’s Health protecting patients from COVID?
Our practice abides by all CDC regulations, especially in terms of social distancing, hand hygiene and effective usage of personal protective equipment. However, we’re also doing our best to maintain the beauty of each family’s pregnancy journey – we know that partners want to participate in things like ultrasounds, so we do our best to make that happen within the guideline. We tailor our services to ensure the safety of everyone involved. You and your unborn baby are always our top priority.
Meet Craig Hinkle, M.D.
“Every patient, when facing the question of whether to get vaccinated or not, has to weigh up the risks and benefits for herself and her family. However, it’s our recommendation that all our patients get the vaccine.”
If we can get the COVID vaccine, you can get the COVID vaccine.
Don’t hesitate to use us as a resource if you have questions about pregnancy and coronavirus. Our friendly team of expert providers is always available to talk in person or over the phone.
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