RANZCOG reiterates advice on COVID-19 vaccination
This statement covers COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 booster vaccination
The peak body for obstetrics and gynaecology and women’s health in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand has reiterated the importance of COVID-19 vaccines.
mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 are recommended for all people trying to conceive (either spontaneously, or through IVF), pregnant, or breastfeeding. This advice is based on robust data supporting safety in these circumstances.
Specifically:
There is no evidence of negative impact on fertility
There is no evidence of an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth or other adverse pregnancy outcomes
There is no evidence of negative impacts on the health of the breastfed infant
Conversely, infection with COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of severe disease, hospitalisation, admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation, and death, in pregnant women, and an increased risk of prematurity and stillbirth.
“Protect you and your baby – get the COVID-19 vaccine.”
RANZCOG President Dr Benjamin Bopp said: “What poses the greatest risk to women and their babies is not the vaccine — it is the COVID-19 infection itself.”
Booster vaccinations
A booster dose can be considered if you are 18 years, or older, and had your initial COVID-19 vaccine course (called the primary course) ≥ 6 months ago. Pfizer is the preferred brand for booster doses for all people, including in pregnancy, regardless of the brand used initially.
mRNA vaccines are safe and effective for those trying to conceive, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Booster doses have not yet been studied in those who are pregnant, but have been shown to be safe and effective in non-pregnant adults. Routine booster vaccinations in pregnancy are already recommended for whooping cough and influenza.
We do know that COVID-19 infection in pregnancy poses a significant risk for mothers and their babies. RANZCOG recommends that pregnant women receive booster vaccinations in line with the recommendations for the non-pregnant adult population