Advancements in Maternal Vaccines: Ensuring Safety and Efficacy

Expectant mothers are vulnerable population to infections due to adaptations of the body physiologically (mainly attributed to respiratory and cardiovascular alterations)?and immunologically?(contributed by impaired cell-mediated immunity) during pregnancy. Maternal vaccination is considered a safe strategy for shielding pregnant mothers, fetuses, and newborns from vaccine-preventable infections. Maternal IgA and IgG antibodies transferred to neonates through placental transfer or breast milk, impart immunity and protection during its early life when the newborn is unable to produce its antibodies. Many vaccines have sufficient safety data to support their use in pregnant women in appropriate circumstances. Maternal vaccination benefits, first demonstrated in 1879 is now considered a promising public health strategy.

Maternal vaccines mainly comprise of inactivated virus vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, toxoid- vaccines, and conjugate vaccines. Risk factors such as congenital infection and increased chances of miscarriage usually prevent the administration of vaccines containing live attenuated viruses. Novel therapeutics such as messenger RNA and nonreplicating viral vector platforms, showcased the re-emergence of assessing pregnancy-related vaccine safety. Phase 1 Vaccine administration safety studies in pregnant women can be assessed only after undergoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in non-pregnant women having childbearing potential. Maternal vaccination narrows down the vulnerability to morbidity and mortality associated with being affected by infectious diseases. Currently, the Influenza vaccine, Tdap vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and RSV vaccine are recommended to be taken as maternal vaccinations. Meningococcal (ACWY and B) vaccines, hepatitis A and B vaccine, and polio vaccine are recommended in specific conditions only based on need.

Though the benefits of maternal vaccination are immense, concerns mainly from pregnant women, result in low vaccine confidence. Lack of literacy in vaccine awareness, side effects, and risk factors associated with vaccine administration are gaps that lead to vaccine hesitancy. Healthcare professionals should effectively communicate with pregnant women about the advantages of vaccination during pregnancy and address concerns related to them. Always bear the thought that all vaccines selected as maternal vaccination candidates possess excellent safety and efficacy profiles. A clear understanding of early life immunological sharing between mother and child would create a significant impact.?

With the outbreak of so many infectious diseases, research on maternal vaccinations has gained importance as it protects not only the mother but also the future generation. Several vaccines are in the pipeline and have the potential to be licensed for use in maternal immunisation programs.

DDE offers the same comfort and safety to manufacturers through its carefully designed, custom-specified, error-free, scalable bioprocess solutions just like a baby in its mother’s womb. This Mother’s Day DDE promises to cross all boundaries in showing our care for mothers by educating them on the impact of vaccination and not forgetting the fact that the benefits of vaccination always outweigh the risks.

#vaccinesafety #maternalhealth #scientificresearch #evidencebasedmedicine

#influenzavaccine #tdapvaccine #covid19vaccine #rsvprevention

Vaccine Insights The World Vaccine Congress Washington Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress Vaccine and Immunotherapy Evaluation Seattle Vaccine Trials Unit Vaccine Considerations Project