Alaska Women’s Health is committed to doing everything it can to keep patients safe during the pandemic.
Alaska Women’s Health is proud to announce that all of its providers are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, doing their part in limiting the spread of the virus within the community.
The practice is a leading center for obstetric and gynecological care in Anchorage. In this historic move, the providers chose to set an example for patients as they have been fielding many questions about the safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for new and expectant mothers.
Among the providers lining up to receive the shots was Dr. Sylvia Moses, who has been pregnant while caring for patients during the pandemic and received the vaccine while breastfeeding.
Safety trials for these drugs did not include pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine have all indicated their support for women who choose to receive the shots. It comes down to individual choice.
“We as a practice tell our patients that vaccination is always completely up to them, however, we definitely recommend the COVID vaccine,” said practice spokesperson Dr. Amanda Beery.
“We’re very aware that none of the vaccines were studied in pregnant or lactating women, and we wish it was. What we do know is that any risks associated with the vaccine are theoretical, whereas the risks of coronavirus are very real indeed. Pregnant women are in danger of having severe cases.
“Our hope is that people will look to their doctors when making decisions about their own health.”
The vaccines are administered in a course of two shots over a specific timeframe. Dr. Beery said it’s important to think through the decision, even for people who are not yet eligible to receive them, as scheduling the shots with the right amount of time in between requires some advanced planning.
“When facing the question of whether to be vaccinated or not, every patient has to weigh the risks and benefits for herself and her family,” said Dr. Beery. “Don’t hesitate to use us as a resource if you have questions about your pregnancy and coronavirus. We are always here to help.”
On top of the vaccines, Alaska Women’s Health is following all CDC recommendations to protect patients, implementing measures such as social distancing and personal protective equipment.
The team also wishes to thank those who are administering the vaccines, because their work is directly helping many Alaskans become safer and more confident in going about their daily lives.
Schedule an appointment using our online form or call us on (907) 563-5151 to learn more.
