CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — While the top doctor in Illinois addressed concerns about the effects the COVID-19 vaccines might have on women's fertility, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday said he wants help from President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration to ramp up virus testing.
Information circulating on social media has suggested a link between COVID-19 vaccines and women's fertility.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, admitted there isn't much information from trials as to what effect COVID-19 vaccines might have on women who are pregnant or are planning to be.
"We don't have any information actually in pregnancy. Women who were in the trial who became pregnant were removed from the trial," Dr. Ezike said.
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Even so, Dr. Ezike said it's likely that pregnant women, or women planning to get pregnant in the following three months, will not get vaccinated.
Pritzker said it will be months before the general public gets vaccines.
So, he's asking the incoming Biden administration to institute a national testing policy as soon as it can to help limit the spread of the virus.
"Such a comprehensive effort would make a tangible difference in our pandemic response right now," Pritzker said.
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Illinois reported more than 8,256 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, including 179 additional virus-related deaths. Since the pandemic’s start, the state has reported a total of 812,430 cases, including 13,666 deaths. IDPH has reported that 92,737 coronavirus tests have been administered over the past 24 hours, bringing the total administered tests to 11,367,345.
With Hanukkah beginning tomorrow and Christmas, Kwanza and other traditions taking place later this month, Dr. Ezike strongly encouraged people to celebrate virtually or postpone larger family events and holiday travel as the virus rages on.
“Share gifts by leaving them at the door. We’ve come too far to give it up now,” she said.