There’s been some uncertainty in our minds about administering the COVID vaccine to women carrying unborn infants. Centers for Disease Control previously provided general vaccine safety advice during pregnancy (see below). But this was silent about the new coronavirus. We found more information about COVID vaccination during the third trimester in a new CIDRAP report.
Relevance of COVID Vaccination During The Third Trimester
We hasten to mention we are not medical professionals, and therefore unqualified to provide medical advice. Expectant women should always obtain specialist input before accepting any kind of treatment. New information from Center for Infectious Disease and Policy at University of Minnesota released December 23, 2020, none the less makes interesting reading.
Researchers selected 64 women with confirmed COVID-19 infections in their third trimester. They wanted to know more about mother-to-baby transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies during this period. This was because pregnant women are an important consideration in vaccine roll-outs. And therefore the optimal timing to best support maternal and new born immunity is a key factor.
Key Findings in Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Report
The 64 subjects in the study had COVID-19 ranging in severity from asymptomatic to critical. Whereas the 63 in the control group had no COVID infections. In addition, there were another 11 non-pregnant women of reproductive age, in hospital for COVID. This combination allowed comparisons between trans-placental antibody transfer, placental pathology, and viral load antibody response.
No infant in the study tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the COVID-19 disease. ‘This provides some reassurance infections during the third trimester are unlikely to pass through the placenta to the fetus. But more research is necessary to confirm this finding.’ adds Diana W. Bianchi, MD. She is director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
There was also evidence of lower COVID antibody transfer compared to whooping cough, influenza, and measles vaccinations. None-the-less some did still occur. This suggests more research is needed into COVID vaccination, including during the third trimester of pregnancy.
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