EBCOG position statement on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women

Abstract

Covid 19 pandemic has led to significant mortality and long term morbidity globally. Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID 19 infection. There is an urgent need for all health authorities and Governments to offer vaccination to all pregnant women especially those with high risk pregnancy.

Worldwide beliefs among pregnant women on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: a systematic review

“…Very soon, it appeared as the vaccination could have been one of the most useful solutions to counteract the pandemic, but historically pregnant women have not been included into vaccine trials [23] , and therefore uncertainty about its safety in this specific population opened a debate on the need to administer SARS-CoV-2 vaccine during pregnancy [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ; indeed, counseling becomes of striking value in such a context [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] . National and international societies endorsed this suggestion, initially considering the high-risk pregnancies and working as health practitioners as the main indications to the vaccine, as well as the need to include pregnant women into future vaccine trials, and then stating that pregnancy should not be considered a contraindication to the vaccine and that pregnant women are “de facto” a population at risk [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] . Preliminary data seem to reassure regarding safety issues and immunization properties of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in pregnant women, demonstrating also that neonates born from vaccinated mothers possess antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 [43] , [44] , [45] .…”

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review of Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

“…The same goes for the efficacy of vaccination during breastfeeding, which is considered to be similar to that among nonpregnant women. Currently there is unanimous consensus that there is no biological plausibility Viruses 2022, 14, 539 2 of 21 in support of a possible harm to infants nursed by vaccinated mothers [6]. Regarding the fertility of women who undergo vaccination against COVID-19, public health agencies and scientific societies internationally ruled out a possible association between vaccine and fertility problems [7].…”

Safety and efficiency of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and breastfeeding

“…It is worth paying attention to the fact that none of currently produced vaccines contain a live, weakened (attenuated) virus. Many expert committees emphasize that these preparations are safe for breastfeeding women as well as state possibility of vaccination should be offered to all pregnant women, after being adequately informed of the benefits and risks [6]. They should have the same right to decide about vaccination as other adults.…”

“…The same applies to women who are breastfeeding as the vaccine trial did not include this population [5]. Although, in this case different scientific societies have been more inclined to recommend vaccination of these women [6].…”