COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has affected human lives globally. The most important measure to control this pandemic is vaccination and to follow public health measures like wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, and hygiene. Over the last one-year, numerous vaccines have been formulated under rigorous regulatory rules globally. During the process of vaccine development, antenatal and breastfeeding women were not included in vaccine research trials, even though they were at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection in comparison to non-pregnant women. There is reassuring data that there are no safety concerns in antenatal patients who received mRNA vaccine in the third trimester and no evidence of increased miscarriage rate if taken at less than 20 weeks of pregnancy. In mRNA vaccine immunized pregnant women, antibodies were found in cord blood. The healthcare staff should provide effective counselling and promote immunization in antenatal women in all trimesters and breastfeeding mothers.