vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccination Is Limited in Pregnant Women

The World Health Organization (WHO) released interim recommendations for use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on January 25, 2021.

 

Pregnant women are more at risk of developing severe COVID-19 compared with nonpregnant women of the same age.1 Additionally, research has shown that contracting COVID-19 while pregnant can result in an increased risk of preterm birth.1 Significant data, related to efficacy and safety, does not exist for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine use in pregnancy.1

 

Due to insignificant data to support its use, the Moderna vaccine is not recommended by WHO for pregnant women, except in certain high-risk populations.1,2 Women working jobs with a high risk of exposure, such as health care workers, or women who have comorbidities that increase their risk of infection should be vaccinated following consultation with their health care provider.2

 

On January 26, 2021, WHO updated its webpage for the Moderna vaccine, reworded its recommendations, and removed the direct statement recommending against vaccination.2 WHO still only recommends administration of the vaccine to pregnant women at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.2

 

While few data are available, there is no reason to believe that the risks of the vaccine will outweigh the benefits of administration in pregnant women.2 Animal studies of developmental and reproductive toxicity have not demonstrated any harmful effects in pregnancy following vaccination.1

 

Women who are breastfeeding are also recommended to receive the vaccine if they are part of a recommended high-risk vaccination group, such as health care workers, or those with comorbidities.2

 

—Audrey Amos, PharmD

 

References

  1. Interim recommendations for use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19. World Health Organization. January 25, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/interim-recommendations-for-use-of-the-moderna-mrna-1273-vaccine-against-covid-19
  2. The Moderna COVID-19 (mRNA-1273) vaccine: what you need to know. World Health Organization. January 26, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-moderna-covid-19-mrna-1273-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know