Mothers COVID-19 vaccine gives twins protection at birth
As an expectant mother, Katie Falk, MD, was committed to doing everything she could to protect the twins she was expecting in November.
As a family medicine doctor who cares for hospitalized patients, Dr. Falk knew that one of the best ways to protect her babies, herself and her three other children and husband, was to get her COVID-19 vaccine booster when her OB/GYN, Angela Shaw DO, recommended it in September.
The twins, both boys, were born at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg on Nov. 16. Their pediatrician, Jessilyn Humble, MD, who works at Ascension Via Christi’s nearby Pediatric Clinic, sent blood that was drawn at the same time as their routine newborn screening off to the lab for testing for COVID-19 antibodies.
"They both came back positive," says Dr. Falk, despite her never having contracted COVID-19.
"That indicates that the antibodies protecting me were passed on to my twins while in the womb," says Dr. Falk, who also serves as the president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg’s medical staff.
Her advice to other expecting and breastfeeding moms who might be hesitant about getting vaccinated: "Talk to your doctor if you are worried about it to get the facts."
Last updated: March 15, 2022