Pregnancy and mRNA Vaccine Considerations Updated

The U.S. CDC published updated clinical considerations regarding experimental COVID-19 vaccines on December 30, 2020. A section within the CDC update focused on 'vaccination of pregnant or lactating women,' which is excerpted below.

'There are currently few data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, including mRNA vaccines, in pregnant women. Limited data are currently available from animal developmental and reproductive toxicity studies. Based on current knowledge, experts believe those mRNA vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk to pregnant women or the fetus because mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines.

The mRNA in the vaccine is degraded quickly by normal cellular processes and does not enter its nucleus. However, the potential risks of mRNA vaccines to the pregnant person and the fetus are unknown because these vaccines have not been studied in pregnant people.

If pregnant people are part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, such as healthcare personnel, they may choose to be vaccinated.

A conversation between the patient and their clinical team may assist with using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. However, a conversation with a healthcare provider is not required before vaccination. When making a decision, pregnant women and their healthcare providers should consider the level of COVID-19 community transmission, the patient’s personal risk of contracting COVID-19, the risks of COVID-19 to the patient and potential risks to the fetus, the efficacy of the vaccine, the side effects of the vaccine, and the lack of data about the vaccine during pregnancy,' concluded this section of the CDC's update.

As of December 28, 2020, the CDC reported 51,396 pregnant women had contracted COVID-19, and there were 60 fatalities related to the new disease during 2020.