Numerous vaccines are being evaluated for prevention of COVID-19, but pregnant/lactating women were excluded from these initial trials. The first vaccines to become clinically available are based on mRNA or protein subunits and do not contain infectious virus (either SARS-CoV-2 or a vector virus).
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published updated advice on the 30 December 2020 and confirmed the available data do not indicate any safety concerns or harm to pregnancy, and vaccination in pregnancy should be considered where the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection is high or cannot be avoided (health and social care workers) (14) or the woman has an underlying condition that puts her at very high risk of serious complications of COVID-19. Similar advice was issued for breastfeeding women (9). Trials of the vaccine in pregnant women are being planned in the US and UK.
