KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A pregnant Kansas City area doctor has received a vaccine for COVID-19 and is now using her experience to inform other pregnant women.
Dr. Jodi VanGundy is 23 weeks pregnant with twins and made the decision to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
“This was not a decision I took lightly. I knew once the vaccine became available, I would absolutely want it, but being pregnant was another added thought process for me," she explained.
According to the CDC, pregnant women with COVID-19 have an increased risk for severe illness - even death.
“I firsthand have seen some bad outcomes with pregnant moms after they deliver and needing ICU admission, needing intubated for so long they’re not even getting to meet their little one, and even death actually," VanGundy said.
The pediatrician said there were few pregnant women in the vaccine program and it inspired her to get the shot.
She said she asked her doctor questions and did research. Now, other pregnant women are coming to her for advice.
"What I tell them is what we know about this vaccine is that it’s an mRNA vaccine and that means it’s not live, it does not enter the nucleus of a cell and it does not make any genetic changes in the human DNA, which means it’s not going to make any genetic or DNA changes in your growing baby," VanGundy explained.
VanGundy works as a pediatrician and advises other expecting moms to make their decisions based on factual data.
“This is a very personal decision. It’s about you and your family and I think number one you need to seek advice and guidance from the experts," she said.
VanGundy received her second shot of the Pfizer vaccine and said the only side effect was mild arm soreness at the injection site, which she said was normal with any vaccine shot.
