COVID-19 vaccines should be given to people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, experts argue

The coronavirus 2 vaccine (SARS-CoV-2), which is based on ethical reasons, should be offered to people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, argue the authors of a report in CMAJ (Journal of the Canadian Medical Association).

They discuss how healthcare providers and patients can use a shared decision-making approach to highlight the risks and benefits to deciding on the right actions for the individual.

Key medical ethical principles argue that medical decisions or interventions should respect the independence of individuals, be direct, be beneficial (benefit), and not cause cron (nonmaleficence). Exclusion of pregnant or breastfeeding people from accessing the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine limits autonomy and individual factors are not considered.. “

Dr. Jonathan Zipursky, Sunnybrook Center for Health Sciences, University of Toronto

Although data do not indicate whether the vaccines are safe in this group, there is no evidence to suggest that there are risks in getting the vaccine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying. to find out. In the 23 participants in the Pfizer-BioNTech trial born after vaccination, no adverse effects were observed. Animal testing also does not show any adverse effects.

There is evidence, however, that pregnant people are at increased risk of COVID-19 malignancy and severe complications, including premature birth. As women are under-represented in facial health care and essential service jobs, the risk of getting a SARS-CoV-2 contract is increased, and they should be offered protection from the virus.

“We argue that maintaining the vaccine is ethically justified only if obvious, substantial or imminent maternal or fetal harm is expected,” the authors write.

The authors note that discussions between healthcare providers and patients regarding changing vaccines will change as new evidence becomes available.