Canada’s top health officials continue recommending COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women, defying a major U.S. policy reversal that has halted similar guidance.
At a Glance
- Canada maintains its COVID-19 vaccination recommendation for pregnant women, citing strong post-market data
- The U.S. no longer recommends COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children as of June 1
- Canadian authorities emphasize increased COVID-19 risks for pregnant women, including ICU admission and preterm birth
- Critics argue original clinical trials excluded pregnant participants, calling for more targeted safety research
- Experts warn the U.S. shift could spread vaccine hesitancy and misinformation in North America
Canada’s Public Health Rationale
While the United States steps back, Canadian health authorities are holding firm. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) continues to recommend mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, citing extensive real-world safety data collected through international registries.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) reinforced this guidance, stating, “In an age of growing misinformation and disinformation, the SOGC strongly urges that vaccine decisions, including during pregnancy, be guided by evidence-based science and clinical expertise.”
This unified stance followed the announcement by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for pregnant women and healthy children. The policy shift reignited debate on whether initial clinical trials, which excluded pregnant individuals, provided sufficient basis for universal recommendations.
Watch a report: Pregnant Women Still Urged to Get COVID Vaccine in Canada.
Scientific Divide and Safety Concerns
Health Canada acknowledges the exclusion of pregnant women from early trials, but stresses that post-authorization surveillance now provides robust evidence on mRNA vaccine safety. However, less is known about protein subunit vaccines, which are less frequently administered.
Critics of continued recommendations include Canadian immunologist Dr. Byram Bridle, who has urged caution until more targeted pregnancy-specific data emerges. In contrast, Dr. Darine El-Chaar from The Ottawa Hospital argues the U.S. decision lacks a scientific foundation, stating mRNA vaccines “have more benefits because of pregnant people’s vulnerable immune status.”
Studies indicate that vaccinated pregnant women are significantly less likely to face intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, or death due to COVID-19, strengthening the case for targeted vaccination policies.
Public Trust and Policy Fallout
Canadian officials are increasingly concerned that America’s policy pivot could undercut public trust. Health experts warn it may embolden anti-vaccine narratives and sow confusion over the safety of all pregnancy-related immunizations.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a rare public rebuke, saying, “We have seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection.”
Canada’s approach prioritizes proactive protection for pregnant women, underpinned by a commitment to transparent risk communication and continuous safety monitoring. Officials say recommendations will evolve as more data becomes available, but current evidence supports keeping the vaccine on the list.
As Canada and the U.S. diverge, the future of pregnancy vaccination policy may hinge not only on emerging science but also on the political will to defend data-driven public health.
