NIAC UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION IN PREGNANCY

Scientific evidence about COVID-19 vaccines is continuously evolving and being refined. Recommendations may be updated when more information becomes available.

• On 26 April 2021, NIAC recommended that pregnant women should be offered mRNA COVID-19 vaccination between 14-36 weeks’ gestation following an individual benefit/risk discussion with their obstetric care giver.
• If pregnant women become infected with SARS-COV2 they are at increased risk of hospitalisation, at increased risk of premature delivery if symptomatic in the third trimester and at significantly higher risk of ICU admission.
• In recent times, while pregnant women accounted for 1.3% of cases notified in women, pregnant and postpartum women are over-represented among ICU admissions, accounting for almost 10% of COVID-19 related ICU admissions.
• There is now a growing body of evidence on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination – in both animal and human studies – clearly indicating that that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any known or potential risks of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
• Vaccination is the best way to protect both mother and baby from serious harm and should be available at all stages of pregnancy.
• Pregnant women and their partners should observe all public health and social measures.