Texas coronavirus: Abbie Kamin, pregnant Houston board member, publicly receives COVID-19 vaccine

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – In Texas, people who can currently get a COVID-19 vaccine fall under the phase 1A or phase 1B criteria of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Pregnant women are considered to be phase 1B, but many wonder if it is safe for their unborn baby.

A Houston City Council member who is also pregnant decided to get the vaccine publicly to help build confidence in other women.

“I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous about getting the vaccine,” said board member Abbie Kamin. “I think it goes with the territory to be pregnant, especially for the first time.”

RELATED: ‘You Are Not Alone’: A Pregnant Doctor’s Advice to Other Moms on Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine

Many other pregnant women were also hesitant, said Stephanie Humbert, division chief of the nursing family partnership program in the health department. The program pairs a nurse with a low-income woman who is pregnant for the first time.

READ MORE: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant women?

She said about 10% of the 170 women currently participating in the program have received the vaccine.

“We’re just at the beginning of explaining the COVID-19 vaccine, and what it can do, and that it won’t harm them or their babies,” Humbert said. “We’re slowly changing our mind, but I think it’s going to take time.”

Eventually, Kamin decided to get the vaccine publicly.

“When I walked into my doctor’s office, I said, ‘Hey, I think I want to get the vaccine,’ and she said, ‘Please take it,’ said Kamin.

SEE ALSO: New Study Finds COVID-19 Increases Risk of Premature Birth

Doctors have said the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine are not known to be harmful to pregnant women. But if pregnant women are infected with the coronavirus, they are at an increased risk of developing more serious illnesses.

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