PING
But anyone reviewing the COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric–Gynecologic Care has to pause, specifically:
-For patients who do not receive the vaccine, the discussion should be documented in the patient’s medical record. During subsequent office visits, obstetrician–gynecologists should address ongoing questions and concerns and offer vaccination again.
-ACOG recommends that pregnant individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19. November 27, 2021, only about one third of pregnant individuals have been vaccinated against COVID-19 (CDC COVID Data Tracker). Given the potential for severe illness and death during pregnancy, the importance of completion of the initial COVID-19 vaccination series should be emphasized for this population. Obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers should routinely assess their pregnant patients' vaccination status. On the basis of this assessment, they should recommend needed vaccines to their pregnant patients.
When recommending the COVID-19 vaccine, clinicians should review the available data on risks and benefits of vaccination with pregnant patients, including the risks of not getting vaccinated in the context of the individual patient’s current health status and risk of exposure, including the possibility for exposure at work or home and the possibility for exposing high-risk household members. Conversations about risk should take into account the individual patient’s values and perceived risk of various outcomes and should respect and support autonomous decision-making (ACOG 2013).
The autonomy comment is interesting....in the hyperlink, it states further "Pregnant patients who decline vaccination or antiviral medications should continue to be supported with appropriate care options that honor their autonomous choices. Clinicians have a special obligation to educate women who decline vaccination or antiviral medications about nonpharmaceutical interventions."
This sounds like a product push, a hard sell. Society mocks used car salesmen and their high-pressure pitches. The only difference between such salesmen and these medical folks is the work apparel.