Encourage COVID-19 Vaccination to Pregnant/Breastfeeding Patients

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) most recent guidelines for pregnant women state that the COVID-19 vaccine does not increase the risk of miscarriage or congenital disabilities and is safe for all women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or who may become pregnant in the future. Please continue to encourage your patients who meet this criteria to follow CDC guidelines and get vaccinated.

TRICARE covers the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost and prior authorization is not required. Find current benefit details on our Benefits A–Z page.

Check out “What You Need to Know” about COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html. Key points include:

• No safety concerns were found in animal studies for the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccines.
• COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infection, including in pregnant women or babies, as the vaccines do not contain the live virus. 
• Vaccination while pregnant helps the body build antibodies that can protect the baby. 

Please direct TRICARE patients to the following resources:

• www.tricare.mil/coronavirus: COVID guidance on “What to do if you’re a TRICARE beneficiary,” including testing, getting care and vaccines. 
• www.tricare-west.com: Click on the COVID-19 banner for resources and tips on keeping one’s health care on track.