As more people become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, there are still questions over whether it's safe for pregnant woman or those who may become pregnant to get the shot.

Dr. Zaher Merhi, an OBGYN and founder of the Rejuvenating Fertility Center in Manhattan, told NY1’s Ruschell Boone that since the vaccine does not contain a live virus, it should be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women and would not harm a fetus.

But, studies have excluded women who are pregnant, so it is hard to know for sure if the vaccine presents any risks.

“We need more data in order for us to give guidelines, in order for us to recommend safety of any vaccine or any drug,” Dr. Merhi says.

He also reports conflicting recommendations – while the CDC guidelines say pregnant woman can get the shot, the World Health Organization says it is not recommended at this time.

When it comes to deciding whether to be vaccinated – including for women trying to become pregnant – Dr. Merhi says it is a matter of weighing the risks and benefits. As pregnant women are among those at a higher risk for a severe illness if they contract the coronavirus, the danger presented by the virus could be higher than the potential side effects of the vaccine.