A reasoned approach towards administering COVID‐19 vaccines to pregnant women
Angsumita Pramanick, Abhiram Kanneganti, Jing Lin Jeslyn Wong, Sarah Weiling Li, Pooja Sharma Dimri, Aniza P. Mahyuddin, Sailesh Kumar, Sebastián E. Illanes, Jerry Kok Yen Chan, Lin Su, Arijit Biswas, Paul Anantharajah Tambyah, Ruby Yun‐Ju Huang, Citra Nurfarah Zaini Mattar, Mahesh Choolani
Abstract
There are over 50 SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccines undergoing Phase II and III clinical trials. Several vaccines have been approved by regulatory authorities and rolled out for use in different countries. Due to concerns of potential teratogenicity or adverse effect on maternal physiology, pregnancy has been a specific exclusion criterion for most vaccine trials with only two trials not excluding pregnant women. Thus, other than limited animal studies, gradually emerging development and reproductive toxicity data, and observational data from vaccine registries, there is a paucity of reliable information to guide recommendations for the safe vaccination of pregnant women. Pregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, especially in women with comorbidities, resulting in increased rates of preterm birth and maternal morbidity. We discuss the major SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, their mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety profile and possible benefits to the maternal-fetal dyad to create a rational approach towards maternal vaccination while anticipating and mitigating vaccine-related complications. Pregnant women with high exposure risks or co-morbidities predisposing to severe COVID-19 infection should be prioritised for vaccination. Those with risk factors for adverse effects should be counselled accordingly. It is essential to support patient autonomy by shared decision-making involving a risk-benefit discussion with the pregnant woman.