Advertisement
JOGC
Advanced searchSave search
Research Letter • Lettre d'information| Volume 43, ISSUE 7, P814-816, July 2021

Download started.

Ok

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy: The Benefits Outweigh the Risks

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2021.03.010
COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy: The Benefits Outweigh the Risks
Previous ArticleLetter: Understanding and Supporting Children with Congenital Anomalies and Disabilities
Next ArticleTranslation and Cultural Validation of the WERF EPHect Endometriosis Patient Questionnaire into Canadian French

      Keywords

      The rapid development of a vaccine to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a historic scientific achievement but has also raised many questions in the health care community about vaccine safety for patients who were not included in clinical trials. As mass immunization efforts have rapidly expanded, obstetricians across the globe now face the challenge of advising pregnant patients on whether they should receive the vaccine.
      The goal of any preventative prenatal intervention is to minimize risk to the fetus and mother, while maximizing health benefits. Within this context, there is precedent for immunization during pregnancy: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and influenza vaccines are routinely administered in the second or third trimester.
      • Vojtek I
      • Dieussaert I
      • Doherty TM
      • et al.
      Maternal immunization: where are we now and how to move forward?.
      Ann Med. 2018; 50: 193-208
      Protecting the mother against infection is a primary benefit; pregnancy functionally immunosuppresses a patient and places added stress on cardiopulmonary systems. Secondary benefits to the fetus include prevention of complications during delivery and the transmission of protective antibodies transplacentally and through breastfeeding.
      Past pandemics with accelerated vaccine development timelines have included pregnant patients in immunization efforts, such as with H1N1 (swine flu). However, studies investigating vaccine uptake in the 2009 pandemic showed that few pregnant patients decided to be vaccinated against H1N1.
      • Sammon CJ
      • McGrogan A
      • Snowball J
      • et al.
      Pandemic influenza vaccination during pregnancy: an investigation of vaccine uptake during the 2009/10 pandemic vaccination campaign in Great Britain.
      Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013; 9: 917-923
      ,
      • Henninger M
      • Crane B
      • Naleway A.
      Trends in influenza vaccine coverage in pregnant women, 2008 to 2012.
      Perm J. 2013; 17: 31-36
      The highest vaccine acceptance rates were in those whose obstetricians specifically recommended immunization.
      • Sammon CJ
      • McGrogan A
      • Snowball J
      • et al.
      Pandemic influenza vaccination during pregnancy: an investigation of vaccine uptake during the 2009/10 pandemic vaccination campaign in Great Britain.
      Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013; 9: 917-923
      ,
      • Henninger M
      • Crane B
      • Naleway A.
      Trends in influenza vaccine coverage in pregnant women, 2008 to 2012.
      Perm J. 2013; 17: 31-36
      Thus, the physician plays a key role in advocating for vaccination in high-risk populations rather than perpetuating hesitancy out of fear of the unknown.
      Although some live vaccinations, such as measles, mumps, and rubella and varicella, are contraindicated in pregnancy, all current COVID-19 vaccines are composed of double-stranded DNA or mRNA and do not carry the live virus (Table).

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      ,
      • Hung IFN
      • Poland GA.
      Single-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster.
      Lancet. 2021; 397: 854-855
      Clinical trials demonstrate that vaccination is highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in non-pregnant patients.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      The potential harms to pregnant patients who experience peripartum infection include increased risk of intensive care unit admission and maternal mortality.
      • Wastnedge EAN
      • Reynolds RM
      • van Boeckel SR
      • et al.
      Pregnancy and COVID-19.
      Physiol Rev. 2021; 101: 303-318
      The potential harms to the baby include increased rates of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and infant mortality.
      • Wastnedge EAN
      • Reynolds RM
      • van Boeckel SR
      • et al.
      Pregnancy and COVID-19.
      Physiol Rev. 2021; 101: 303-318
      Notably, there is strong evidence that protective antibodies are transmitted to infants whose mothers survive perinatal infection and breastfeed.
      • Pace RM
      • Williams JE
      • Järvinen KM
      • et al.
      Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, antibodies, and neutralizing capacity in milk produced by women with COVID-19.
      mBio. 2021; 12 (e03192-20)
      Vaccination therefore has a high likelihood of preventing severe COVID-19 infection and its adverse effects in both pregnant patients and their neonates.
      TableVaccines currently being administered in North America and Europe
      Vaccine nameTypeDosageEfficacy rate after full doseContraindication
      Pfizer-BioNTechmRNA2 doses separated by 3 wk95.0% (95% CI 90.3%–97.6%)

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      		Polyethylene glycol allergy
      ModernamRNA2 doses separated by 4 wk94.1% (95% CI 89.3%–96.8%)

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      		Polyethylene glycol allergy
      Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)Adenoviral vector1 dose66.3% (95% CI 59.9%–71.8%)

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      		Polysorbate allergy
      AstraZeneca
      Not authorized for use in the United States.
      		Adenoviral vector2 doses separated by 12 wk81.2% (95% CI 60.3%–91.2%)
      • Hung IFN
      • Poland GA.
      Single-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster.
      Lancet. 2021; 397: 854-855
      		Polysorbate allergy
      a Not authorized for use in the United States.
      The risks of administering COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy appear to be minimal. Commonly reported side effects include short-term injection site pain, headache, fever, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, and nausea.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      Although none of the vaccines currently in use have included pregnant patients in their clinical trials, the rate of serious adverse effects in study populations has been quite low.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      Of the four vaccines being used in North America and Europe, none contain chemical components whose use is specifically contraindicated in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      ,
      • Hung IFN
      • Poland GA.
      Single-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster.
      Lancet. 2021; 397: 854-855
      Patients who fear increased risk of miscarriage, congenital malformation, preterm delivery, or neonatal infection should be reassured that inactivated vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine, are frequently administered during pregnancy and have minimal risk of adverse events.
      • Vojtek I
      • Dieussaert I
      • Doherty TM
      • et al.
      Maternal immunization: where are we now and how to move forward?.
      Ann Med. 2018; 50: 193-208
      Severe allergic reactions to past vaccines or known allergies to any COVID-19 vaccine components are contraindications to being immunized.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      Current guidelines are mixed with respect to recommending or withholding COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant patients. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology asserts that in the absence of data showing that vaccines are contraindicated, pregnant patients should be immunized.

      Vaccinating pregnant and lactating patients against COVID-19. Available at: https://www.acog.org/en/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19. Accessed on March 18, 2021.

      The Centers for Disease Control have taken a similar stance, noting that the only absolute contraindication to vaccination is having an allergy to vaccine components (Table).

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      However, the World Health Organization has more reserved guidelines,

      COVID-19 vaccines technical documents. Available at: https://www.who.int/groups/strategic-advisory-group-of-experts-on-immunization/working-groups/cholera-(november-2015---august-2017). Accessed on March 18, 2021.

      stating that vaccination is only indicated in pregnant patients who are at high risk for exposure to COVID-19, such as health care workers, or those who have comorbidities that might make infection more severe.
      It is important to consider that pregnancy itself is a comorbid condition that may increase the severity of COVID-19. Numerous immunological changes occur during gestation that modulate response to viral infection and may contribute to more severe disease.
      • Wastnedge EAN
      • Reynolds RM
      • van Boeckel SR
      • et al.
      Pregnancy and COVID-19.
      Physiol Rev. 2021; 101: 303-318
      Reduction in chest volume and other pulmonary changes increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Pregnancy also induces a hypercoagulable state that heightens the risk of thrombotic events, a known complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
      • Wastnedge EAN
      • Reynolds RM
      • van Boeckel SR
      • et al.
      Pregnancy and COVID-19.
      Physiol Rev. 2021; 101: 303-318
      Therefore, it is clear that from a physiological standpoint, severe COVID-19 poses a grave risk to the health of pregnant patients and their fetuses.
      Because pregnant patients are more frequently exposed to outpatient and hospital environments during prenatal visits and delivery, it is reasonable to classify them as having a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure than the general population. Every pregnant patient then meets the World Health Organization criteria of being at high risk of exposure and at high risk for severe disease. Patients carrying pregnancies complicated by obesity, diabetes, or preeclampsia particularly stand to benefit from immunization against SARS-CoV-2. Prenatal vaccination is vital to prevent COVID-19 morbidity in the pregnant patient and to protect neonates via passive immunity.
      With respect to scheduling, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Centers for Disease Control guidelines recommend that patients wait at least 2 weeks after receiving any other immunization before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      ,

      Vaccinating pregnant and lactating patients against COVID-19. Available at: https://www.acog.org/en/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19. Accessed on March 18, 2021.

      Similar to influenza,
      • Vojtek I
      • Dieussaert I
      • Doherty TM
      • et al.
      Maternal immunization: where are we now and how to move forward?.
      Ann Med. 2018; 50: 193-208
      COVID-19 vaccination can be offered at any gestational age. Although antibody availability may be greatest for the neonate with vaccination later in gestation, maternal morbidity and mortality can occur throughout pregnancy. Vaccination thus confers the greatest benefit as soon as it is available to the mother and should not be delayed. For those attempting to become pregnant, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility, and vaccination need not be postponed.

      Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

      Although clinical trial data do not yet exist to verify the safety of COVID-19 vaccine use in pregnancy, precedent from past immunization efforts and the present pandemic provide strong support for vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 infection increases the likelihood of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes, which may be preventable with vaccination. In the absence of evidence that pregnancy is a contraindication, providers should make clear that the known benefits of receiving the vaccine far outweigh the unlikely potential harms. Obstetricians must continue to stay apprised of the literature surrounding vaccine safety and should counsel patients regarding individual fears and contraindications. As a population, pregnant patients have much to gain from immunization against COVID-19 and should be encouraged to take the vaccine.

      REFERENCES

        • Vojtek I
        • Dieussaert I
        • Doherty TM
        • et al.
        Maternal immunization: where are we now and how to move forward?.
        Ann Med. 2018; 50: 193-208
        View in Article
        • Sammon CJ
        • McGrogan A
        • Snowball J
        • et al.
        Pandemic influenza vaccination during pregnancy: an investigation of vaccine uptake during the 2009/10 pandemic vaccination campaign in Great Britain.
        Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013; 9: 917-923
        View in Article
        • Henninger M
        • Crane B
        • Naleway A.
        Trends in influenza vaccine coverage in pregnant women, 2008 to 2012.
        Perm J. 2013; 17: 31-36
        View in Article

      4. Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html. Accessed on March 12, 2021.

        View in Article
        • Hung IFN
        • Poland GA.
        Single-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster.
        Lancet. 2021; 397: 854-855
        View in Article
        • Wastnedge EAN
        • Reynolds RM
        • van Boeckel SR
        • et al.
        Pregnancy and COVID-19.
        Physiol Rev. 2021; 101: 303-318
        View in Article
        • Pace RM
        • Williams JE
        • Järvinen KM
        • et al.
        Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, antibodies, and neutralizing capacity in milk produced by women with COVID-19.
        mBio. 2021; 12 (e03192-20)
        View in Article

      8. Vaccinating pregnant and lactating patients against COVID-19. Available at: https://www.acog.org/en/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19. Accessed on March 18, 2021.

        View in Article

      9. COVID-19 vaccines technical documents. Available at: https://www.who.int/groups/strategic-advisory-group-of-experts-on-immunization/working-groups/cholera-(november-2015---august-2017). Accessed on March 18, 2021.

        View in Article

      Article info

      Footnotes

      Disclosures: The authors declare they have nothing to disclose.

      Each author has indicated they meet the journal's requirements for authorship.

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2021.03.010

      Copyright

      © 2021 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

      ScienceDirect

      Access this article on ScienceDirect
      We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content. To update your cookie settings, please visit the for this site.
      Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. except certain content provided by third parties. The content on this site is intended for healthcare professionals.


      RELX