Vaccination of pregnant women against coronavirus infection and influenza

Vaccination is a highly effective way to prevent infectious diseases in children and adults, including influenza and a new coronavirus infection.

Due to physiological changes in the immune and cardiopulmonary system, pregnant women have an increased likelihood of severe respiratory viral infections, which increases the risk of not only infection, but also the development of complications.

Influenza is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by an RNA–containing virus.  Significant for humans are 2 subtypes of influenza A virus – H3N2 and H1N1 and influenza B virus.

Three main reasons to get a flu shot during pregnancy:

1. A woman during pregnancy is much more at risk of contracting the flu, since her immunity is changed.
2. In the case of influenza infection, the course of the disease in a pregnant woman is much more difficult and with complications.
3. Vaccination of pregnant women against influenza protects the mother and her child. A pregnant woman vaccinated during pregnancy transmits antibodies against influenza through the placenta to her fetus. A child born from a vaccinated mother receives immunity for at least 6 months. According to research results, it is known that vaccination of a mother reduces the risk of infection with influenza of a born child by 63%.

When to vaccinate:

Pregnancy in the II-III trimesters is an indication for vaccination against influenza. Post-vaccination antibodies pass through the placenta to the fetus and protect it from the influenza virus in utero and in the first 6 months of life.

Security:

Only inactivated (split) influenza vaccines are used for vaccination of pregnant women. Modern inactivated vaccines do not have toxic or teratogenic effects on the body of a pregnant woman and fetus.

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection caused by the SARS—CoV-2 coronavirus. It is a dangerous disease that can occur both in the form of acute respiratory viral infection of mild course and in severe form.

Today it is known that:

• the incidence of COVID-19 in pregnant women is higher than the average in the population;
• according to international statistics, such patients are more likely to be in intensive care;
• in pregnant women, a sudden development of a critical condition is possible against the background of a stable course of the disease;
• when infected with coronavirus, the frequency of premature birth increases: 15-20% compared to 6% on average in uninfected women;
• those infected with COVID-19 are more likely to have miscarriages and develop postpartum complications (the most common of them is postpartum bleeding);
• pregnant women with COVID-19 have significantly higher rates of cesarean section and low birth weight babies.

Prevention of coronavirus infection comes out on top. Unfortunately, non-specific measures in the form of the use of antiseptics and wearing masks are not enough here. Vaccination against NCVI during pregnancy is the best way to protect against known risks for both women and infants.

The group with the highest risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19 is pregnant women with somatic diseases: chronic lung diseases, including moderate and severe bronchial asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, oncological diseases, obesity (BMI>30 kg/m2); chronic kidney disease, liver diseases.

Security:

Only the vaccine Gam-COVID-Vac (trade name) "Sputnik V" is allowed for vaccination of pregnant women, it is tested and absolutely safe, produces antibodies and protects against NCVI and its severe consequences.   To date, there is no evidence of a negative impact of vaccination on the course of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Since 06/15/2021, pregnancy has been excluded from the list of contraindications for vaccination "Sputnik V". According to the temporary methodological recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of December 2021, the use of the vaccine "Gam-COVID-Vac" during pregnancy should be from 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Recommendations:

• It would be very correct if all women planning pregnancy were vaccinated in advance. This would save them from problems for a year.
• It would be very correct if all the inhabitants of the apartment where the pregnant woman lives were vaccinated.  The risk of infection with close contact is maximum.
• The medical staff is ready to help with the illness of a pregnant woman with influenza and NCVI, but it is better, of course, to stay healthy.

Head of the women's consultation GUZ "LGRD"
Sushkova N.A.