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Washington, DC Research shows that certain segments of the population who contract SARS-CoV-2, the strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, tend to get sicker and are at higher risk for worse outcomes, and that includes pregnant women and infants under two months.
In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that women who contract COVID-19 during pregnancy are able to make antibodies, but that transfer of these antibodies to their infants is less than expected.
Antibodies are produced by the body s immune system to help fight against infection. Specifically, the study looked at immunoglobulin G (IgG) and neutralization activity, a measure of the potency of antibody response, in the maternal immune system.
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A man applies finishing touches to graffiti showing a vaccine, in Kolkata, January 2, 2021. Photo: Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri.
Bengaluru: Last week, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to state chief secretaries asking them to prosecute people who make “misleading claims” about the “safety and immunogenicity” of the two vaccine candidates in India’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive. These are Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad, and Covishield, by Serum Institute of India, Pune.
Covaxin in particular has been in rough weather because the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved its use sans any data of its safety and efficacy (taken together) from phase 3 clinical trials. And observers noted that Bhalla’s request could only deepen mistrust instead of alleviate it.
Do pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines mix? Here’s what the experts say [Los Angeles Times :: BC-CORONAVIRUS-VACCINES-PREGNANCY:LA]
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate that is the question pregnant women are asking themselves as COVID-19 shots roll out across the country.
Like so many things involving the pandemic, there are no easy answers. The two vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration were not tested for safety or efficacy in pregnant women, so there’s no hard data to go on.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says the vaccines “should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination,” such as the health care workers who received priority access. The medical group also says that “pregnant patients who decline vaccination should be supported in their decision.”
The World Health Organization released recommendations for the Moderna vaccine, saying it is “currently not recommended” for pregnant women unless they are at high risk of exposure.
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate that is the question pregnant women are asking themselves as COVID-19 shots roll out across the country.
Like so many things involving the pandemic, there are no easy answers. The two vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration were not tested for safety or efficacy in pregnant women, so there’s no hard data to go on.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says the vaccines “should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination,” such as the healthcare workers who received priority access. The medical group also says that “pregnant patients who decline vaccination should be supported in their decision.”