There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are harmful to unborn babies, says Professor Michelle Giles.
She made the comment during the Fiji National University’s Explain the Science virtual panel discussion last week.
Prof Giles said pregnant women, who had not made up their minds about getting vaccinated, should take into consideration that a severe infection of COVID-19 would have a worse effect on the unborn child.
“We have no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines affect negatively or have any harmful effects on an unborn child,” she said.
“We actually have a lot of evidence that if you get COVID-19, that can be quite harmful to you as a mum and your baby.”
Prof Giles said the risks to the mother of contracting the virus included severe disease and hospitalisation and could affect the pregnancy.
“We also have evidence that if you get COVID-19 infection, there’s an increased chance maybe of having an early or pre-term birth which can have a significant impact on the baby.”
Prof Giles is an infectious diseases physician and professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
