Obstetrics and gynecology orgs call on Ontario to allow COVID-19 vaccine for those pregnant, lactating

Ottawa—The Ontario Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OSOG) and the Ontario Medical Association Section on Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OMA-OG) are calling on the provincial government to allow at-risk pregnant and lactating people access to the COVID-19 vaccines.In December, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization issued guidance on certain cohorts who should be excluded from vaccination because they weren't included in clinical trials, namely those immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment or suffering from an autoimmune disorder; pregnant or breastfeeding; and adolescents 12–15 years of age. The committee has since updated the guidance, stating that if a risk assessment finds the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks, and if informed consent includes discussion about the insufficient evidence among these cohorts, the currently approved vaccines may be offered to individuals in these populations.The OSOC and OMA-OG asserted expert OB-GYN panels have reviewed the available data and recommend the vaccine be offered to informed pregnant or lactating individuals "based on their self-assessment of risk.""Obstetricians have always had to make science-informed decisions on the use of medications in pregnancy and lactation," said Dr. Constance Nasello, president of OSOG, in a press release. "Pregnancy is a particularly dangerous time for women. Those who acquire viral infections in pregnancy are often sicker, and emerging evidence on COVID-19 shows a higher rate of ICU admissions and severe disease. Pregnant individuals at high risk, such as frontline healthcare workers, may choose to receive the vaccine and they should be supported. They should also be part of a registry to follow vaccinated pregnant women."The organizations note that while no pregnant women were included in clinical trials of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, other data suggests their relative safety."The mRNA vaccines do not contain active virus, preservatives or adjuvants," the release noted They contain no components expected to be an issue in pregnancy. A rare allergy to polyethylene glycol (PEG) can occur, and patients who have that allergy should not take this vaccine.""During the trials some participants became pregnant, but thus far have not shown any adverse reactions to the vaccine. Currently, hundreds of pregnant and lactating health care workers have been immunized with the vaccines, and there are no reports of adverse effects. A registry for pregnant persons who have received the vaccine has been set up at the University of Washington."

Obstetrics and gynecology orgs call on Ontario to allow COVID-19 vaccine for those pregnant, lactating

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