JCVI announcement regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and next steps
Based on US data which showed vaccination of ~ 90,000 pregnant women, mainly with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, without any safety concerns, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that pregnant women should be offered these vaccines where available.
Source:
NHS England
SPS commentary:
Guidance now advises that pregnant woman in eligible cohorts who have yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, should be offered the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine or Moderna vaccine. This currently includes women who are pregnant in cohorts 1, 2, 4, 6 and the 45-49 year old age group.
There is no evidence to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, but more research is needed.
Healthcare professionals are advised to discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with each pregnant woman presenting for vaccination, as part of the prevaccination clinical assessment and consent process. Guidance is available within Chapter 14a of the Green Book, which has been updated to reflect this latest JCVI advice.