Nearly 90% of babies who had to be hospitalized with COVID-19 had mothers who didn’t get the vaccine while they were pregnant, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New Study Reveals Alarming COVID-19 Hospitalization Rates in Babies
The study looked at infant medical data from October 2022 to April 2024 in 12 states and underscores the critical importance of vaccinating pregnant people. It also echoes what physicians have anecdotally reported for more than three years — that people are still skeptical of COVID vaccines due to persistent misinformation.
Babies Most Vulnerable to COVID-19
Babies can’t get the COVID vaccination until they are at least 6 months old. That leaves a “huge window” when infants are most vulnerable, said Neil Silverman, a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and the director of the Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Vaccinating pregnant women so they pass the antibodies on to their newborns is an effective way of protecting babies during that time. Vaccination during pregnancy also protects pregnant people from severe disease.
Persistent Vaccine Misinformation a Concern
However, persistent vaccine misinformation online has led to skepticism among Silverman’s pregnant patients.
“The most frustrating response that I get from folks is that they need to do more research before they think about getting the COVID vaccine,” Silverman said. “We have dozens and dozens of studies showing the safety of the mRNA vaccine. I don’t know how much more research we can provide to skeptics.”
Babies’ COVID-19 Hospitalization Rates High
Among the 1,470 infants hospitalized with COVID, the median age was just 2 months old, according to the report. Nine of the infants died. Babies too young to be vaccinated had the highest COVID hospitalization rate of any age group except people over 75.
Physicians Encourage Vaccination During Pregnancy
Physicians can encourage vaccination by making it as easy and simple as possible, Silverman said. He encouraged fellow doctors to offer the shots in their offices, rather than sending patients to pharmacies or other providers.
“We lose probably 30 to 40% of vaccination opportunities once someone has to leave the office to get a vaccine,” Silverman said.
Conclusion
The new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the critical importance of vaccinating pregnant people to protect not only themselves but also their babies. The study shows that babies who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are more likely to have mothers who did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy. As healthcare providers, it is crucial that we educate patients on the benefits of vaccination and make it as accessible and convenient as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are babies most vulnerable to COVID-19?
A: Babies can’t get the COVID vaccination until they are at least 6 months old, leaving them vulnerable to the virus. Vaccinating pregnant women is an effective way to pass antibodies on to their newborns and protect them from severe disease.
Q: What are the hospitalization rates for babies with COVID-19?
A: Among the 1,470 infants hospitalized with COVID-19, the median age was just 2 months old, and nine infants died. Babies too young to be vaccinated had the highest COVID hospitalization rate of any age group except people over 75.
Q: How can healthcare providers encourage vaccination during pregnancy?
A: Healthcare providers can encourage vaccination by making it as easy and simple as possible, such as offering the shots in their offices instead of sending patients to pharmacies or other providers.
Q: What can parents do to protect their babies from COVID-19?
A: Parents can protect their babies by getting vaccinated during pregnancy, which passes antibodies on to their newborns, and by following public health guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus.
