In Practice

Considerations for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy

J Zamparini, L Murray, R T Saggers, A J Wise, H Lombaard

Abstract


Pregnant women are at greater risk of severe COVID-19 than non-pregnant women. Despite limited safety data on use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, many international societies have recommended their use when pregnant women are at particularly high risk of acquiring COVID-19, or have suggested that vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant women where no other contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination exist. A number of vaccines, including those against influenza, tetanus and pertussis, have been shown to reduce both maternal and infant morbidity and mortality when used antenatally. We explore the role of COVID-19 vaccination in the setting of pregnancy, discuss the limited data available, and summarise current international guidelines.


Authors' affiliations

J Zamparini, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

L Murray, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

R T Saggers, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

A J Wise, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Empilweni Services Research Unit, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

H Lombaard, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Empilweni Services Research Unit, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Full Text

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Keywords

Pregnancy; COVID-19; Vaccination

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2021;111(6):544-549.

Article History

Date submitted: 2021-04-06
Date published: 2021-04-06

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