Thread by @DrLeslieKim

I am a full-time academic surgeon.

I am a facial nerve specialist who treats patients with Bell’s Palsy sequelae.

I have fillers in my face.

I am 32 weeks pregnant.

And I got my first @moderna_tx vaccine against COVID-19 today! 🙌🏼

🧵 A thread on why:

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Every decision comes down to risks vs. benefits. My PERSONAL decision, with the input of my OB/GYN, was that the benefits far outweigh the potential risks.

I am at high-risk for contracting COVID-19 as a facial plastic surgeon / ENT (aerosol-generating procedures).

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Although I am very healthy, being pregnant alone puts me at higher risk for severe disease and even death.

Pregnant women were unfortunately excluded from vaccine trials.

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But reassuringly, those (small N=36) who did become pregnant after receiving the mRNA vaccines did not experience any adverse effects.

Furthermore, Moderna’s toxicology DART studies in pregnant rats showed no issues with reproduction or fetal development.

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This is how I came to my decision. I am looking forward to the future and really hoping some of these antibodies will be passed down to my baby girl! 🥰 @PLLU @OSUWexMed @OhioStateENT @acog #medtwitter #thisisourshot #covidvaccine