National Minority Health Month

This year, the focus for the Office of Minority Health's (OMH) National Minority Health Month (NMHM) is on the impacts that COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minority communities and underscoring the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain vulnerable populations have a higher likelihood of forgoing getting vaccinated.

As part of WIC's role as an adjunct to good health care during critical times of growth and development, WIC staff can share up-to-date information with WIC moms and their families.

Using the NMHM resources, WIC staff can encourage WIC families to:

• Learn about COVID-19 vaccine information,
• Practice COVID-19 safety measures, in and outside of the home including social distancing,
• Get vaccinated when the time comes, and
• Take precautions once fully vaccinated

Pregnancy and the COVID-19 Vaccine

There is currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problem with pregnancy, including the placenta. Those who are pregnant and have concerns should talk with their healthcare provider. Learn more at vaccination considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.  

Breastfeeding and the COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccines authorized now are non-replicating vaccines, meaning they're able to create an immune response but do not reproduce inside host cells. Because non-replicating vaccines pose no risk for lactating people or their infants, COVID-19 vaccines are also thought to not be a risk to the breastfeeding infant. Therefore, lactating people may choose to be vaccinated.

Those who are breastfeeding and have concerns about getting vaccinated should talk with their healthcare provider. Learn more at vaccination considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.  

Related Materials from OMH

• A Health Disparities Report that includes information about the state-specific initiates developed to address health disparities along with State Minority Health Contact information
• A Healthy People 2020 Health Disparities Data Widget to access and better understand health disparities information
• A Knowledge Center where you can search the nation’s largest collection of resources related to the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations
• A Free maternal health care cultural competency e-learning program and continuing education programs designed to help you provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services