A NEW study from the Netherlands has provided reassuring evidence on the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, specifically in relation to neonatal health outcomes.
This prospective cohort study included 3,655 pregnant women with due dates between 15 January 2021–15 May 2022, using data from the Dutch Pregnancy Drug Register. Researchers evaluated whether COVID-19 vaccination was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes such as small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), and other neonatal health issues.
Among the participants, 92.1% reported receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. The results showed no statistically significant association between vaccination and the measured neonatal outcomes. Of all participants, SGA was observed in 8.9% of cases, LGA in 11.1%, and other neonatal health problems in 16.4%. However, none of these outcomes showed a significant link to maternal COVID-19 vaccination.
These findings align with previous studies suggesting no safety concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Lead researchers highlighted the importance of continued monitoring to maintain confidence in maternal vaccination programs and ensure informed decision-making among pregnant women.
With COVID-19 still posing health risks worldwide, vaccination remains a critical measure for protecting high-risk groups, including pregnant women. The study underscores the safety of maternal vaccination and its role in reducing severe illness and complications for both mothers and their newborns.
Jenna Lorge, EMJ
Reference
Woestenberg PJ et al. The association between coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination during
