Safety of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy

In this project we study the safety of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy and consequences of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. We study pregnancy outcomes, short term effects on the women and fetus, and potential effects in children of mothers who were vaccinated during pregnancy. COVID-19 infection is still circulating, with new waves occurring and infecting many people. Mutations continuously alter the virus’ ability to spread and potentially the severity of infections. The available evidence points to increased risk of severe disease, complications and hospitalizations in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is also associated with increased risk of a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vaccination during pregnancy protects pregnant women from COVID-19 infections and maternal vaccinations during pregnancy protect infants from COVID-19 infection the first months of life. With unique nationwide data, we have investigated safety of vaccination during pregnancy on fetal, infant and pregnancy outcomes. None of our studies suggest any risk of adverse outcomes with vaccination during pregnancy, while infection during pregnancy is associated with several adverse outcomes. We will continue to address more outcomes, and also follow children after birth to investigate potential effects in those whose mothers were vaccinated or infected while pregnant.

It is difficult to predict how the current COVID-19 pandemic will progress, and what its final impact will be. Mutations continuously alter the virus’ ability to spread and the potentially the severity of infections, making it difficult to predict changes in risk groups, and whether the current vaccines will remain effective. Reassuring the general population regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness is crucial for keeping the trust and adherence to vaccine programs. Although data on COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is still limited, the available evidence points to increased risk of severe disease, complications and hospitalizations in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is also associated with increased risk of a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vaccination during pregnancy will protect pregnant women from COVID-19 infections. There are also potential benefits to the child after birth of maternal vaccination during pregnancy as IgG antibodies are actively transferred through the placenta to the fetus. It is likely that maternal vaccinations during or pregnancy protect infants from COVID-19 infection The current COVID-19 vaccines have not been tested or approved for use in pregnant women, and thus, safety and effectiveness of these vaccines during pregnancy is unknown. Currently, it is difficult for pregnant women and care givers to make decisions about COVID-19 vaccination as empirical data to support decisions is lacking. Very few countries can address population risks related to safety of vaccination in pregnancy. With national linked Norwegian registry data our international team will study the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, addressing pregnancy outcomes, short term effects on the women and fetus, and longer term effects in children born after maternal pregnancy vaccination. Our team has broad expertise in using population-based data to study infections in pregnancy.