COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

FEATURED CONTENT – CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued recommendations on the vaccination of pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant.

As of September 29th the CDC and the Illinois department of public health are urging pregnant women to be vaccinated against Covid 19, see the link below:

Link to Article

Updated 9/28/2021 – COVID UPDATE

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that it will re-institute a face mask mandate for all indoor public settings as the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Chicago surpasses 400. All individuals aged 2 and over, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask as of Friday, August 20, while indoors in public settings.

Four additional states have been added to Chicago’s Travel Advisory.

For the safety & well-being of our patients, providers & staff, WGON is requiring anyone who is unvaccinated and has traveled: States and Territories on the Advisory: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival to Chicago. **This includes any visitor that a patient anticipates bringing for their Level 1 Ultrasound**

Important to keep in mind:

1. With the rise in Delta variant cases, it is important for all individuals over age 2, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in public indoor settings, to wash hands and socially distance.
2. Anyone vaccinate or unvaccinated who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID (including usual cold or allergy symptoms) must call and speak to Nurse Triage prior to coming in for their appointment.
3. Anyone vaccinated or unvaccinated who have been exposed to someone who is COVID+ must call and speak to Nurse Triage prior to coming in for their appointment.
4. Anyone vaccinated or unvaccinated who travels internationally must have a negative pcr test 3-5 days after they return to the US before they can be seen in our office. In addition, unvaccinated people must quarantine for 14 days in addition to testing.
5. Anyone unvaccinated, who travels within the US must quarantine for 10 days prior to return to our office. This does not apply if they LIVE in WI, MI, or IN but does apply if they have traveled to those states but don’t live there.
6. Visitors are not allowed – this includes newborns. The only appointment when a patient is allowed to bring a visitor is to their Level 1 ultrasound.

 

 The City of Chicago updates the travel guidelines every other week. Updates can be found here for further clarification:  https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/emergency-travel-order.html

The Women’s Group of Northwestern requires masks for all people (patients, staff and outside vendors) entering our office, regardless of vaccinations, until further notice.

Thank you for your continued cooperation keeping everyone safe!

Physicians and Staff of The Women’s Group of Northwestern

The City of Chicago is recommending that Illinois residents, use this link  www.zocdoc.com/vaccine  to register for a vaccine appointments.

Moderna, Pfizer vaccines shown safe and effective in pregnant & lactating women, click on the link below to read the article:

1) What are your office’s recommendations regarding the covid vaccine?

We highly recommend vaccination for everyone that does not have a contraindication (severe allergy). For pregnant and lactating people, we along with American College of Gynecology and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine  now officially recommend COVID-19 vaccination.

2) I am pregnant or breast feeding, should I get it?

Studies in pregnant patients have shown no safety concerns specific to pregnancy. The CDC, American College of Gynecology and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine all strongly recommend the Covid 19 vaccine for pregnant, lactating individual and those wishing to conceive.

MRNA and DNA vaccines should not pose a risk to mother or baby because they are not live vaccines. The mRNA and DNA in the vaccines is quickly degraded by normal cellular function. The known risks of Covid 19 disease in pregnancy far outweigh any risks of the vaccine.  While the overall risk of severe illness is low, pregnant women have been shown to have an increased risk of severe illness, hospital admission, ICU admission, need for a ventilator, as well as an increased risk of death, if unvaccinated.  There may also be an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, preterm birth and possibly growth issues or stillbirth.

Other factors to weigh when deciding to get the vaccine while pregnant include the level of covid 19 transmission in our community, your personal risk of exposure to covid, any additional health issues you may have that might increase your risk of severe covid illness (age, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc)

Evidence shows that both pregnant and breast feeding women who receive the vaccine, pass the antibodies that they make on to their infants (through the placenta or breast milk) and these antibodies may help protect the infant as well.

The following are links to information from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine:

ACOG and SMFM guidelines for pregnant women:

3) I am eligible for vaccine. How do I sign up?

We are not able to order or administer the vaccine at this time.https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/covid-19-vaccination-considerations-for-obstetric-gynecologic-care

You may sign up through the IDPH and Chicago websites:

Book COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Vaccine Appointments Online | Zocdoc

NM site with info on vaccination at NMH:

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination plan for Northwestern Medicine patients.

4) Which vaccine should I get?

At this time there is no official recommendation for one vaccine over another and the current recommendation for subsequent doses is to try to receive the same as your first dose. If you have further questions speak to your provider at your next visit.

5) What if I can’t get the second dose on time?

The cdc recommends adhering to the schedule as closely as possible but if unable to do so (ie vaccine not available) you can get your second dose up to 42 days (6 wks) after the first.

6) What are the usual side effects?

Pain/swelling in your arm, fever/chills, headache, tiredness Ok to take Tylenol or ibuprofen. Pregnant women should take Tylenol to keep temperature under 100 degrees.

7) What if I have allergies?

If you have had a severe allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine (there is a list on the CDC’s website) or had an allergic reaction to the first vaccine, do not proceed with vaccination, without first speaking with your primary doctor.

A severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis which includes swollen throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, or hives.

If you have a had a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines or injectable medications, you may still elect to receive the vaccine after consideration of the risks. You may wish to discuss this with your primary care doctor or consider consultation with an allergist.

Allergies to other medications, foods, animals, latex, eggs, gelatin, or seasonal allergies are not considered a risk for covid vaccination.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/specific-groups/allergies.html

8) Do I still need to wear a mask, social distance and perform frequent hand washing after I receive the vaccine?

Yes you should still wear mask in public, social distance, and frequently wash your hands even after you have been  vaccinated. This is because the vaccine is not 100% effective. In addition, it may be possible that you would not have symptoms but still contract enough virus to transmit to virus to others who may still be susceptible.

You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the second Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and 2 weeks after your single Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The CDC has issued guidelines for fully vaccinated people:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html#anchor_1615143411738

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html 

9) Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?

No, none of the currently available vaccines is linked to infertility.

Despite social media chatter, antibodies to the spike protein have not been linked to infertility after COVID-19 infection, and there is no scientific reason to believe this will change after vaccination for COVID-19.

No other viral infection or vaccination-inducing immunity by similar mechanisms has been shown to cause infertility.

Women should feel comfortable that this claim has no basis in science.

10) Can I get another vaccine at the same time as the COVID vaccine?

Yes it has now been determined that it is safe to receive other vaccines at the same time as your covid vaccine.

11) Are the vaccines interchangeable?

At this time it is not recommended to receive doses of different vaccines. For immunocompromised individual receiving a third dose (not a booster shot), if the original vaccine is not available they can receive an alternate vaccine.

12) Am I eligible for a booster shot?

At this point in time certain individuals are eligible for a booster shot if they completed their original vaccine series at least six months ago.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

13) If I had COVID or was exposed to the virus, should I still get the vaccine?

Yes, even those who had COVID-19 should be vaccinated once they are recovered. Studies have shown that the vaccine provides better protection against the delta variant than prior infection.

If you are acutely infected, you should wait until you have recovered to receive the vaccine.

If you are recently exposed or in quarantine, you should wait until the end of quarantine to avoid exposure to health care workers.

14) If I had COVID or was exposed, do I need to get blood work done to look for antibodies before getting the vaccine?

No, there is no need to evaluate for antibodies before vaccination. It is also not recommended to check antibodies after the vaccine.

15) If I have medical conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure, should I get the vaccine?

Yes! These medical conditions may result in a more severe infection with COVID-19, so it is important to get vaccinated.

16) If I am immunocompromised should I get the vaccine?

Yes! Vaccination may provide key protection against the virus in those with suppressed immune systems. Immunocompromised people are more likely to get severely ill from covid 19, are more likely to get a breakthrough infection and are more likely to transmit to household contacts. The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live virus.

Studies of immunocompromised people have shown that they may not build the same level of immunity in response to the vaccine compared to people that are not immunocompromised, however most immunocompromised people will have some protection from the vaccine. Data shows that a third vaccine can improve the response in immunocompromised people.

Guidelines have been developed regarding the use of immunocompromising medications in the time around the vaccine; please discus with your doctor who prescribes your medication.

17) Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause Bell’s palsy?

Studies have shown no significant difference in reports of Bells palsy among those that received that vaccine versus placebo.

18) Will the vaccine cause male pattern hair growth?

No, there is no evidence the vaccine causes women to grow beards or mustaches. In contrast, COVID-19 illness has been linked to hair loss. Thus, vaccination will not increase undesired hair growth and may prevent undesired hair loss from COVID-19.

19) How does the vaccination affect testing for COVID-19 disease?

Vaccination will not affect results of nasal, nasopharyngeal, or saliva PCR or rapid antigen tests for diagnosis of acute infection.

Currently, the antibody tests available in laboratories check for IgM or IgG to either spike or nucleocapsid proteins. Positive antibody (IgG) to spike protein could mean evidence of prior infection or vaccination.

To document prior natural infection with live virus, laboratory evidence of antibody to nucleocapsid protein is needed.

20) How do I know if symptoms after vaccination are due to the vaccine or COVID-19 infection?

Signs and symptoms unlikely to be from COVID-19 vaccination include: Cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell.

Signs and symptoms that may be from either COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 infection, or another infection include: Fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, and/or arthralgia.

 

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