COVID-19 vaccination reduces risk of adverse maternal-fetal outcomes

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can protect against adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in pregnant people, according to a recent study.

Prior studies had associated COVID-19 infection with poor maternal-fetal outcomes, but fears over the effects of the vaccine in maternal-fetal outcomes have led less pregnant people to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Researchers set out to examine how the COVID-19 vaccine and booster effect maternal COVID-19 breakthrough infections and birth outcomes.

In the multicenter cohort study, deliveries at Providence St. Joseph Health across different states were examined. Participants were listed as unvaccinated, unvaccinated propensity score matched, vaccinated, and boosted. COVID-19 infection was examined upon birth.

Maternal COVID-19 infection was seen much less often in vaccinated pregnant people than unvaccinated pregnant people. Hospital rates were similar between the groups during pregnancy, but supplemental oxygen and vasopressor use were needed more in unvaccinated participants. Vaccinated people also had a lower stillbirth rate, as well as no difference in preterm birth (PTB), very low birth weight (VLBW), and small for gestational age (SGA).

In the group that was boosted, maternal COVID-19 infection rate dropped significantly further compared to the group that was vaccinated but had not received their booster 5 months after their initial vaccination series. COVID-19 related hospitalization, stillbirth, PTB, VLBW, and SGA saw significant decreases as well.

Reference

Piekos SN, Hwang YM, Roper RT, Sorensen T, Price ND, Hood L, Hadlock JJ. The effect of COVID-19 vaccination and booster on maternal-fetal outcomes: a retrospective multicenter cohort study. medRxiv. 2022. doi:10.1101/2022.08.12.22278727