Will the COVID-19 vaccine have an impact on the fetus as well as the unborn baby?
That is one of the concerns among pregnant women or individuals who are planning a pregnancy.
Here are some suggestions of several research findings as well as views derived from international health bodies.
1. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - 12 Feb 2021
Recommendations:
If pregnant people are part of a group that is recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., healthcare personnel), they may choose to be vaccinated.
A lactating person who is part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., healthcare personnel) may choose to be vaccinated.
2. World Health Organisation (WHO), Oxford University and AstraZeneca - 10 Feb 2021
Recommendations:
Recommendations:
4. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) - 1 Feb 2021
Recommendations:
5. Public Health England - 28 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
6. World Health Organisation (WHO), Moderna - 25 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
7. National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Canada - 12 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
8. World Health Organisation (WHO), Pfizer BioNTech - 8 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
Recommendations:
GUIDELINES ON COVID-19 VACCINATION OF WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING
Currently, there are no data on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Studies have shown that pregnant people with COVID-19 are at an increased risk for hospitalization, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation.
Regulatory bodies have issued mixed advice about pregnancy or breastfeeding and COVID-19 vaccines.
Healthcare professional and patients must make informed consent decisions.
That is one of the concerns among pregnant women or individuals who are planning a pregnancy.
Here are some suggestions of several research findings as well as views derived from international health bodies.
1. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - 12 Feb 2021
Recommendations:
If pregnant people are part of a group that is recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., healthcare personnel), they may choose to be vaccinated.
A lactating person who is part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., healthcare personnel) may choose to be vaccinated.
2. World Health Organisation (WHO), Oxford University and AstraZeneca - 10 Feb 2021
Recommendations:
In the interim, pregnant women should receive AZD 1222 only if the benefit of vaccination to the pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks, such as if they are health workers at high risk of exposure or have comorbidities that place them in a high-risk group for severe COVID-19.
A lactating woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination, e.g., health workers, should be offered vaccination on an equivalent basis. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - 4 Feb 2021A lactating woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination, e.g., health workers, should be offered vaccination on an equivalent basis. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.
Recommendations:
ACOG recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on ACIP-recommended priority groups
ACOG recommends COVID-19 vaccines be offered to lactating individuals similar to non-lactating individuals when they meet criteria for receipt of the vaccine based on prioritization groups outlined by the ACIP
ACOG recommends COVID-19 vaccines be offered to lactating individuals similar to non-lactating individuals when they meet criteria for receipt of the vaccine based on prioritization groups outlined by the ACIP
4. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) - 1 Feb 2021
Recommendations:
SOGC Consensus Statement: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at any time if they are eligible and no contraindications exist.
5. Public Health England - 28 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
PHE advice those who are pregnant should not routinely have this vaccine.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recognised that the potential benefits of vaccination are particularly important for some pregnant women. This includes those who are at very high risk of catching the infection or those with clinical conditions that put them at high risk of suffering serious complications from COVID-19.
if you have had the first dose and then become pregnant you should delay the second dose until after the pregnancy is over (unless you are at high risk)
JCVI has recommended that the vaccine can be received whilst breastfeeding.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recognised that the potential benefits of vaccination are particularly important for some pregnant women. This includes those who are at very high risk of catching the infection or those with clinical conditions that put them at high risk of suffering serious complications from COVID-19.
if you have had the first dose and then become pregnant you should delay the second dose until after the pregnancy is over (unless you are at high risk)
JCVI has recommended that the vaccine can be received whilst breastfeeding.
6. World Health Organisation (WHO), Moderna - 25 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
In the interim, WHO recommends not to use mRNA-1273 in pregnancy, unless the benefit of vaccinating a pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks, such as in health workers at high risk of exposure and pregnant women with comorbidities placing them in a high-risk group for severe COVID-19
A lactating woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination, e.g. health workers, should be offered vaccination on an equivalent basis. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.
A lactating woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination, e.g. health workers, should be offered vaccination on an equivalent basis. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.
7. National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Canada - 12 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
NACI recommends that a complete vaccine series with a COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to pregnant individuals in the authorized age group if a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual and the fetus, and if informed consent includes discussion about the absence of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccine in this population. (Discretionary NACI Recommendation)
If pregnancy is determined after initiation of the vaccination series, completion of the series may be delayed until after pregnancy, unless risk factors for increased exposure or severe COVID-19 are present and informed consent for vaccination is obtained as above.
NACI recommends that a complete vaccine series with a COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to individuals in the authorized age group who are breastfeeding, if a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual and the infant, and if informed consent includes discussion about the absence of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccine in this population. (Discretionary NACI Recommendation)
If pregnancy is determined after initiation of the vaccination series, completion of the series may be delayed until after pregnancy, unless risk factors for increased exposure or severe COVID-19 are present and informed consent for vaccination is obtained as above.
NACI recommends that a complete vaccine series with a COVID-19 vaccine may be offered to individuals in the authorized age group who are breastfeeding, if a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual and the infant, and if informed consent includes discussion about the absence of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccine in this population. (Discretionary NACI Recommendation)
8. World Health Organisation (WHO), Pfizer BioNTech - 8 Jan 2021
Recommendations:
In the interim, WHO recommends not to use BNT162b2 in pregnancy, unless the benefit of vaccinating a pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks, such as in health workers at high risk of exposure and pregnant women with comorbidities placing them in a high-risk group for severe COVID-19
A lactating woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination, e.g. health workers, should be offered vaccination on an equivalent basis. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.
9. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) - 22 Dec 2020A lactating woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination, e.g. health workers, should be offered vaccination on an equivalent basis. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.
Recommendations:
No recommendations for or against vaccination of women who are pregnant or lactating
GUIDELINES ON COVID-19 VACCINATION OF WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING
Currently, there are no data on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Studies have shown that pregnant people with COVID-19 are at an increased risk for hospitalization, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation.
Regulatory bodies have issued mixed advice about pregnancy or breastfeeding and COVID-19 vaccines.
Healthcare professional and patients must make informed consent decisions.
