Vials with a sticker saying “COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / injection only” and a medical syringe are seen in front of a Moderna logo in this illustration taken on October 31, 2020. [Dado Ruvi, Reuters]
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that clinical trials on the possible effects of the vaccine on pregnant women have not yet been conducted.
“Although pregnancy puts women at greater risk for severe Covid-19, the use of this vaccine in pregnant women is currently not recommended, unless they are at high risk, as health professionals,” said the WHO. Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said limited data was available on the safety of vaccines, including mRNA, administered during pregnancy and called for more trials and clinical studies.
“There is limited data currently available from studies of reproductive toxicity and animal development. No safety concerns have been demonstrated in rats that received the Modern Covid-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy; studies of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are ongoing. Studies on pregnant women are planned, ”said the CDC.
The WHO states that pregnant women with Covid are at an increased risk of serious illness, including illnesses that result in ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and death, compared to non-pregnant women of reproductive age.
In addition, pregnant women with Covid may be at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as premature birth, compared to uninfected pregnant women.