A professor of medicine answers three questions such as 'Can I get the new corona vaccine while I am pregnant or breastfeeding?'



Inoculation of the new coronavirus vaccine 'BNT162b2' by Pfizer, a major pharmaceutical company that showed a

preventive effect of over 90% in clinical trials, started in the United States on December 14, 2020. In Japan, preparations are steadily progressing, with an application for approval being submitted to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on December 18. Experts answer three frequently asked questions about such a new coronavirus vaccine, such as 'Can I use it for pregnant and lactating women?' And 'Is it effective against new viruses?'

Should pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine? Will it protect against asymptomatic infections and mutated viruses? An immunologist answers 3 questions
https://theconversation.com/should-pregnant-women-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-will-it-protect-against-asymptomatic-infections-and-mutated-viruses-an-immunologist-answers-3- questions-152443

Professor William Petri of the University of Virginia School of Medicine said he was asked about vaccines by mothers with babies and pregnant women while studying the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at the hospital. thing. Therefore, Petri decided to publish three frequently asked questions about vaccines and their answers.


by William Petri

◆ 1: Can I get vaccinated during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Petri's answer to this question is 'yes' and I recommend that you take it. Petri attaches great importance to vaccination of pregnant women because pregnant women are at high risk of developing COVID-19.

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 23,434 pregnant women with COVID-19 symptoms, pregnant women are three times more likely to enter the intensive care unit than non-pregnant women and are ventilated. We also know that the chances of needing a vessel are 2.9 times higher. Also, according to Petri, neither Pfizer's vaccine norModerna's vaccine contains the active new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), so 'there is no risk of pregnant women or foets developing COVID-19.' That is.

It should be noted that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were intentionally excluded from phase III clinical trials in pregnant women, so 'there is no clinical trial data for pregnant or lactating women.' Can be mentioned. Nonetheless, both the CDC and the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology 'recommend vaccination as a personal choice,' given the strong prospects that vaccines are safe, as mentioned above. Similarly, Petri recommended vaccination for breastfeeding people, as the new coronavirus vaccine does not have any risk of breastfeeding.



◆ 2: Is it protected from asymptomatic infections?
COVID-19 is said to be '40-45% of all patients may be asymptomatic infected ', and there are reports of cases where ' COVID-19 spreads among asymptomatic infected people '. Therefore, prevention of the spread of asymptomatic infection, which accounts for about half of COVID-19 patients, is considered to be the key to pandemic convergence.

Early clinical trials of Moderna's vaccine showed that '60% protection against asymptomatic infections was obtained after the first vaccination.' In addition, there is a report (PDF file) that 'the risk of asymptomatic infection has been reduced to less than half' even after the second vaccination. There are no data on Pfizer vaccines, but Pfizer vaccines are expected to have similar effects.

This provided evidence that the initial vaccination alone could significantly prevent asymptomatic infections. Prevention of asymptomatic infections with vaccines resulted in the acquisition of mass immunity and the convergence of pandemics. This is great news because it promotes it, 'he said, giving a positive view of the protective effect from asymptomatic infections.



◆ 3: Is it effective for the new SARS-CoV-2?
According to Petri, all SARS-CoV-2 mutants identified so far are known to be neutralized by the new coronavirus vaccine. This involves the mechanism by which vaccination 'allows the production of antibodies against the peplomer on the surface of the virus.'

Peplomer mutations are found in mutant strains that are beginning to prevail in the United Kingdom, but Petri believes that 'the mutant strains in the United Kingdom are unlikely to escape the effects of the vaccine.' This is because there are multiple target sites for antibodies in peaplomers.

Dr. Lucy van Dorp of University College London, who is familiar with the evolution of pathogens, also said that 'the effectiveness of the vaccine will not be significantly hindered by this mutant strain.'

'Coronavirus mutant' is showing signs of epidemic in the UK, experts explain new mutants --GIGAZINE

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