By Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN
​March 25, 2021


The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines are effective in pregnant and lactating women, who can pass protective antibodies to newborns, according to research published Thursday in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

​Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard looked at 131 women who received either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Among the participants, 84 were pregnant, 31 were lactating and 16 were not pregnant. Samples were collected between December 17, 2020 and March 2, 2021.

The vaccine-induced antibody levels were equivalent in pregnant and lactating women, compared to non-pregnant women. The antibody levels were "strikingly higher" than those resulting from coronavirus infection during pregnancy, the team noted."

"These vaccines seem to work incredibly effectively in these women," said one of the researchers, Galit Alter, a professor of medicine at the Ragon Institute.

In addition, the team found that women passed protective antibodies to their newborns, measured in breast milk and the placenta.

"Nearly all the moms were getting a pretty decent level of antibodies to their babies," said Alter, who added that additional research is needed to understand how long those protective antibodies last in newborns.

​***We are now offering E-Visits done through the EMR, our system will allow for 2 way video Telehealth visits. Please call the office to schedule an E-visit.  You will need an active patient portal set-up, this can be done from an Ipad, mobile phone or computer equipped with a camera and microphone***
 
We are taking the necessary measures in our office to insure the safety of our patients as well as our staff.

1. DO NOT COME TO OFFICE IF YOU ARE SICK!
2. If you are sick please call the office and the office staff will direct you
3. All Gynecologic surgeries are canceled until at least May 2020
4. All non-OB appointments will be rescheduled, hopefully in May we can return to normal?
5. All hospital tours cancelled
6. We are not testing patients in the office for COVID-19 patients who need testing will be directed accordingly- this is to keep the non-infected patients safe.
7. Only patients are allowed in the office, please have your spouse or significant other wait in the car or come alone to your visit.
8. Dr. Prezzato will be available for E- Visits to address patients concern’s or medical issues
9. At this point hospitals are allowing 1 partner with the patient in labor

American College of OB/GYN Information

• At this time, very little is known about COVID-19, particularly related to its effect on pregnant women and infants, and there currently are no recommendations specific to pregnant women regarding the evaluation or management of COVID-19.
  
• Currently available data on COVID-19 does not indicate that pregnant women are at increased risk. However, pregnant women are known to be at greater risk of severe morbidity and mortality from other respiratory infections such as influenza and SARS-CoV. As such, pregnant women should be considered an at-risk population for COVID-19. Adverse infant outcomes (eg, preterm birth) have been reported among infants born to mothers positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. However, this information is based on limited data and it is not clear that these outcomes were related to maternal infection. Currently it is unclear if COVID-19 can cross through the transplacental route to the fetus. 
  
• In limited studies, COVID-19 has not been detected in breast milk; however we do not know for sure whether mothers with COVID-19 can spread the virus via breast milk.
  
• The predominant signs and symptoms of COVID-19 reported to date among all patients are similar to other viral respiratory infections, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Although these signs and symptoms may occur at any time during the overall disease course, children with COVID-19 may not initially present with fever and cough as often as adult patients. In a report of nine hospitalized infants in China with confirmed COVID-19, only half presented with fever.  
  
• The determination of whether or not to separate a mother with known or suspected COVID-19 and her infant should be made on a case-by-case basis using shared decision-making between the mother and the clinical team. 

  
Steps to protect yourself from getting sick

• Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
• Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

 
 Joseph J. Prezzato MD
 
 
 
 
 

***We are now offering E-Visits done through the EMR, our system will allow for 2 way video Telehealth visits. Please call the office to schedule an E-visit.  You will need an active patient portal set-up, this can be done from an Ipad, mobile phone or computer equipped with a camera and microphone.***

We are taking the necessary measures in our office to insure the safety of our patients as well as our staff.
1.    DO NOT COME TO OFFICE IF YOU ARE SICK!
2.    If you are sick please call the office and the office staff will direct you
3.    All Gynecologic surgeries are canceled until at least May 2020
4.    All non-OB appointments will be rescheduled
5.    All hospital tours cancelled
6.    We are not testing patients in the office for COVID-19 patients who need testing will be directed accordingly- this is to keep the non-infected patients safe.
7.    Only patients are allowed in the office, please have your spouse or significant other wait in the car or come alone to your visit.
8.    Dr. Prezzato will be available for E- Visits to address all patients concern’s or medical issues
9.    At this point hospitals are allowing 1 partner with the patient in labor

Testing
There are laboratory tests that can identify the virus that causes COVID-19 in respiratory specimens

Who should be tested
Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Here is some information that might help in making decisions about seeking care or testing.

• Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.
• There is no treatment specifically approved for this virus.
• Testing results may be helpful to inform decision-making about who you come in contact with.

Pregnant Women
We do not currently know if pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they are more likely to have serious illness as a result. Pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections. With viruses from the same family as COVID-19, and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, women have had a higher risk of developing severe illness. It is always important for pregnant women to protect themselves from illnesses.

We still do not know if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus that causes COVID-19 to her fetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. No infants born to mothers with COVID-19 have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. In these cases, which are a small number, the virus was not found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk.

Things you can do to support yourself

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Steps to protect children from getting sick
You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things everyone should do to stay healthy.

• Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
• Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

 
Joseph J. Prezzato MD

Situation in U.S.
Different parts of the country are seeing different levels of COVID-19 activity. The United States nationally is in the initiation phase of the pandemic. States in which community spread is occurring are in the acceleration phase. The duration and severity of each pandemic phase can vary depending on the characteristics of the virus and the public health response.

The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully known. Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. While information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild, a report out of China suggests serious illness occurs in 16% of cases. Older people and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions are at most risk.

Pregnant Women
We do not currently know if pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they are more likely to have serious illness as a result. Pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections. With viruses from the same family as COVID-19, and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, women have had a higher risk of developing severe illness. It is always important for pregnant women to protect themselves from illnesses.
 
We still do not know if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus that causes COVID-19 to her fetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. No infants born to mothers with COVID-19 have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. In these cases, which are a small number, the virus was not found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk.

Things you can do to support yourself

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Steps to protect children from getting sick
You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things everyone should do to stay healthy.
​

• Clean hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
• Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

 
We are taking the necessary measures in our office to insure the safety of our patients as well as our staff.
1.    DO NOT COME TO OFFICE IF YOU ARE SICK!
2.    If you are sick please call the office and the office staff will direct you
3.    All Gynecologic surgeries are canceled until at least May 2020
4.    All non-OB appointments will be rescheduled
5.    All hospital tours cancelled
6.    We are not testing patients in the office for COVID-19.  Patients who need testing will be directed accordingly - this is to keep the non-infected patients safe.
7.    Only patients are allowed in the office, please have your spouse or significant other wait in the car or come alone to your visit.
8.    Dr. Prezzato will be available by phone to address all patients concern’s or medical issues
 
 
Joseph J. Prezzato MD
 
 
 
 
 
 

This interim guidance outlines goals and strategies for all U.S. healthcare facilities to prepare for and respond to community spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Although it is not possible to predict the future course of the outbreak, planning for a scenario in which many persons become ill and seek care at the same time is an important part of preparedness and can improve outcomes if an outbreak occurs. Therefore, preserving healthcare system functioning is paramount. It is critical for healthcare facilities to continue to provide care for all patients, irrespective of COVID-19 infection status, at the appropriate level (e.g., home-based care, outpatient, urgent care, emergency room, or hospitalization). Facilities may need to respond to a surge in patients requiring care. Concentrated efforts will be required to mobilize all aspects of healthcare to reduce transmission of disease, direct people to the right level of care, and decrease the burden on the healthcare system.
 
Currently there are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent COVID-19. Therefore, community approaches to slowing transmission including appropriate hand hygiene, cough etiquette, social distancing, and reducing face-to-face contact with potential COVID-19 cases are needed to slow disease transmission and reduce the number of people who get sick.
 
Key Goals for the U.S. healthcare system in response to the COVID-19 outbreak are to:

1. Reduce morbidity and mortality
2. Minimize disease transmission
3. Protect healthcare personnel
4. Preserve healthcare system functioning

 
We are taking the necessary measures in our office to insure the safety of our patients as well as our staff.

1. DO NOT COME TO OFFICE IF YOU ARE SICK!
2. If you are sick please call the office and the office staff will direct you
3. All Gynecologic surgeries are canceled until at least May 2020
4. All non-OB appointments will be rescheduled
5. All hospital tours cancelled
6. Only patients are allowed in the office, please have your spouse or significant other wait in the car or come alone to your visit.
7. Dr. Prezzato will be available by phone to address all patients concern’s or medical issues

  
Joseph J. Prezzato MD