As Australia braces for the COVID vaccine rollout next month, little is known about its effect on both pregnant women and those planning a family.
Misinformation and pseudoscience from unlicensed sources, often online, has plagued the coronavirus pandemic as a whole.
Myths about the vaccine affecting fertility and being “unsafe” for pregnant women abound on the internet.
So, 7NEWS.com.au spoke to expert Dr Allison Imrie about how vaccines affect pregnant women to get clear information about how this group should proceed.
The big players - Pfizer, AstraZeneca and the federal government - contributed so that woman can find out the facts, from the professionals themselves - removing the hearsay.
How does the vaccine work?
Imrie, Associate Professor at the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Western Australia, has explained how the COVID vaccine will work.
“The COVID-19 vaccines work by the same principles as other modern vaccines - they are designed to be versions of the microbe (SARS-CoV-2 in this case) that infects us and causes serious disease and death,” she said.
“When we are infected with these dangerous microbes (viruses or bacteria) our immune responses are activated, and immune cells produce antibodies and other molecules that protect us from the disease.
“Some of these immune cells can last in our bodies for many years (as memory cells) and when you encounter the microbe again, they are ready to clear the infection and protect you from disease and perhaps death.”
She said a vaccine is designed to do the same same thing - it gives you protection.
It’s a version of the microbe that’s safe and doesn’t cause the disease but “activates the immune response to produce immune cells that produce antibodies and other molecules that are protective”.
“When you then encounter SARS-CoV-2 in real life, you already have protection and can fight off the infection,” she said.
What about the effect on pregnant women?
She said vaccines are currently being tested on pregnant women and the result of these studies will be available soon.
“We know that pregnant people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease, and to die, compared to other groups,” she said.
They also may be at greater risk of preterm birth and other adverse outcomes.
“So, we hope the results from the vaccine studies become available soon and women can be reassured the vaccines will protect them from severe outcomes,” she said.
Is it normal not to know anything at this stage?
Dr Imrie said that it’s normal for the information not to available for this group of people at this stage of the process.
It’s all to do with the phases of research.
“The first studies were done largely in adults, and included people who were older and people with some diseases that were known to be associated with severe outcomes and death,” she said.
“The next phases moved to younger people and now, pregnant women are being assessed.”
Hitting back at the myth the vaccine could have an effect on fertility
Dr Imrie was quick to dispel a myth that’s been circulated from unqualified sources online.
“There is no evidence at all that vaccination affects fertility - for SARS-CoV-2 or for any other vaccine,” she said.
“It’s very unfortunate that these stories circulate as they cause much unnecessary distress - women have enough to worry about.”
So where do we get correct information?
She said she’s been around long enough to be familiar with these types of stories that cause so much concern for people.
“The correct information is available on various government websites and literature available at clinics and doctor’s offices,” she said.
Pfizer, AstraZeneca and the federal government all provided statements to 7NEWS.com.au about the impact of the vaccine on pregnant women and those of childbearing age.
While a definitive study has not yet been finalised, they provided transparent facts about where they currently stand.
Together they have given insight into the research process and offered a relevant time frame for the advice.
Pfizer
Pfizer said clinical plans will be developed that will include evaluating the vaccine for this group of people.
“Allocation of doses to the appropriate populations within a country is a decision for governments based on relevant health authority guidance,” a Pfizer spokesperson said.
“Pfizer recognizes that developing a potential vaccine against COVID-19 for broad use is critically important to help combat the pandemic, including for potential use in pregnant women.
“We are developing clinical plans that would include evaluating the vaccine in pregnant women.
“Pfizer is following guidance provided by relevant regulatory authorities for development and licensure of vaccines to help prevent COVID-19, including the important consideration of use in pregnant women and women of childbearing potential.”
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca said their vaccine has not currently been assessed in pregnant or breastfeeding women but preclinical studies are underway.
“It will up to the local regulator to define usage across the population, including for pregnant women and women of childbearing potential,” a spokesperson said.
“AZD1222 has not yet been assessed in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
“Women of child-bearing potential have been included in the late-stage trials however eligibility to participate required use of contraception.
“There are hopes to include pregnant women in the eventual group of people for whom the vaccine is approved and are therefore the necessary preclinical studies are currently being carried out prior to inclusion of this group in clinical trials.
“Preclinical developmental and reproductive toxicity testing is also being carried out in accordance with FDA and ICH guidance, which is the first step in this process.”
The government
The federal government flagged that the advice for pregnant woman was not yet finalised - but there was some hope.
The Department of Health said it would be made available prior to vaccine rollout next month.
“The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) clinical advice for healthcare providers on the use of COVID-19 vaccines, including advice in relation to pregnant women, will be finalised following consideration of the vaccine candidate by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),” the Department of Health said.
“This advice will be made available prior to program rollout in February.
“Government communications will be based on this expert medical advice.”
What we know from overseas
The UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives has issued a statement about COVID-19 vaccination, pregnancy and fertility.
“We want to reassure women that there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility. Claims of any effect of COVID-19 vaccination on fertility are speculative and not supported by any data,” President Dr Edward Morris said.
“There is no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on women’s fertility.
“Evidence has not been presented that women who have been vaccinated have gone on to have fertility problems.”
As we know there is limited data about the effect on this group, but America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said of the data available of animal studies there have been no concerns.
“No safety concerns were demonstrated in rats that received Moderna COVID-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy; studies of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are ongoing,” the CDC said.
So, what’s next?
If you are an Australian who falls into this category, waiting for the definitive advice from the approved channels is the way forward, according to the experts.
All of the key players are in the process of conducting research that will shape their response.
Dr Imrie advises women to assess the available information and consult their doctor.
“Bear in mind that we know that SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy is associated with worse COVID-19 disease and death, and complications including preterm delivery,” she said.
“There is a lot of information available now on how to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19, in the meantime.”
- with NBC
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiggFodHRwczovLzduZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9saWZlc3R5bGUvaGVhbHRoLXdlbGxiZWluZy90aGUtY292aWQtdmFjY2luZS1hbmQtcHJlZ25hbmN5LWV2ZXJ5dGhpbmctYXVzdHJhbGlhbi13b21lbi1uZWVkLXRvLWtub3ctYy0yMDA3NTk20gGGAWh0dHBzOi8vN25ld3MuY29tLmF1L2xpZmVzdHlsZS9oZWFsdGgtd2VsbGJlaW5nL3RoZS1jb3ZpZC12YWNjaW5lLWFuZC1wcmVnbmFuY3ktZXZlcnl0aGluZy1hdXN0cmFsaWFuLXdvbWVuLW5lZWQtdG8ta25vdy1jLTIwMDc1OTYuYW1w?oc=5
2021-01-23 09:44:23Z
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