
The safety of the meningitis vaccine during pregnancy is a topic of ongoing research. While there is no definitive answer, studies suggest that the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their babies. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that pregnant women at increased risk of contracting serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease may get meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY). The CDC also recommends that MenB vaccines be postponed for those who are pregnant unless they are at high risk of contracting serogroup B meningococcal disease.
The meningococcal vaccines do not contain live bacteria that could cause meningococcal disease. Animal studies have not shown any harm to the fetus, and there is no evidence of increased risk from vaccinating pregnant women with inactivated virus or bacterial vaccines. Miscarriage is common and can occur for many reasons, but reviews of reports of vaccination during pregnancy do not suggest an increased chance of miscarriage with meningococcal vaccines.
One study found no differences in pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, being small for gestational age, C-sections, or stillbirth between those who were vaccinated with the MenA conjugate vaccine and those who were not. However, studies on the effects of MenB vaccines on pregnancy outcomes have not been conducted.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women be vaccinated with the MenA conjugate vaccine if they are in the age range targeted by mass vaccination campaigns. The safety of the MenB vaccines during pregnancy is still being evaluated, and future research will focus on this topic.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Safety | No evidence of increased risk from vaccinating pregnant women with inactivated virus or bacterial vaccines or toxoids. |
The meningococcal vaccine is safe and efficacious when given to pregnant women. | |
The meningococcal vaccine is not associated with an increase in adverse events in mothers or infants. | |
The meningococcal vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women unless they are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease. | |
Miscarriage | Reviews of reports of vaccination during pregnancy do not suggest an increased chance of miscarriage with meningococcal vaccines. |
Birth defects | Available information does not suggest that getting a meningococcal vaccine during pregnancy increases the chance of birth defects above the background risk. |
Other pregnancy-related problems | No differences in pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, being small for gestational age, C-sections, or stillbirth between those who were vaccinated with MenA conjugate vaccine and those who were not vaccinated. |
What You'll Learn
- The Meningococcal A Conjugate Vaccine (MenAfriVac) is safe for pregnant women
- The Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero and Trumenba) is safe for pregnant women
- The Meningococcal Conjugate or MenACWY Vaccines (Menactra, Menveo, and MenQuadfi) are safe for pregnant women
- The Meningococcal Vaccine does not increase the chance of birth defects
- The Meningococcal Vaccine does not increase the chance of miscarriage
The Meningococcal A Conjugate Vaccine (MenAfriVac) is safe for pregnant women
MenAfriVac is a lyophilized group A conjugate vaccine developed under the Meningitis Vaccine Project. It contains PsA10 µg, TT conjugate 10–33 µg, aluminium phosphate adjuvant 0.3mg Al3+ and thiomersal 0.01%, in each 0.5 ml dose. The vaccine is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has been following the vaccine since its initial Phase 1 and 2/3 clinical trials and has been reassured of its ongoing safety. While clinical trials during vaccine development and licensure did not target pregnant women, inadvertent vaccination in pregnancy has not revealed any concerns.
A review of published studies on the safety profile of MenAfriVac in clinical trials and vaccination campaigns found that the incidence of adverse events was far lower in immunization campaigns than in clinical trials. The review also noted that the current capacity of adverse event surveillance during vaccination campaigns requires extensive re-assessment.
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The Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero and Trumenba) is safe for pregnant women
The decision to vaccinate during pregnancy should be made through shared decision-making between the patient and clinician, weighing the potential risks and benefits in each particular situation. While meningococcal disease is uncommon, it is life-threatening, and the vaccine has been shown to induce antibodies that kill several strains of the disease. The most common adverse reactions reported by those who received the vaccine were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.
The Meningococcal B Vaccine
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening illness caused by bacteria that infect the bloodstream and the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted from person to person through respiratory or throat secretions, and even with appropriate antibiotics and intensive care, between 10 and 15% of people who develop the disease die from the infection. Another 10 to 20% suffer permanent complications, such as brain damage or limb loss.
The Meningococcal B vaccine is designed to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. There are multiple strains of MenB, and the vaccine has been shown to help protect against the most common strains. Trumenba, manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc., was the first vaccine approved in the United States for the prevention of MenB. It was approved by the FDA in 2014, following outbreaks of MenB at two universities. Bexsero, manufactured by Novartis, was used under an Expanded Access IND application in response to these outbreaks.
Safety and Effectiveness
The safety of the Meningococcal B vaccine was assessed in approximately 4,500 individuals who received the vaccine in studies conducted in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Animal studies have not revealed any evidence of harm, and no concerns have been identified regarding its use in pregnancy. However, there are no well-controlled studies of the vaccine in pregnant women, and data on its effects on breastfed infants or milk production/excretion are insufficient.
The effectiveness of the vaccine was determined by evaluating immune responses, as measured by antibodies, in vaccine recipients. Vaccination with Trumenba induced antibodies that were shown to kill four different N. meningitidis serogroup B strains, which are considered representative of strains that cause MenB in the United States. Among study participants who received three doses of Trumenba, 82% had antibodies that killed all four strains, compared to less than 1% before vaccination.
Administration and Scheduling
The Meningococcal B vaccine is administered through injection and is indicated for individuals aged 10 through 25 years. The choice of dosing schedule may depend on the patient's risk of exposure and susceptibility to meningococcal serogroup B disease. The ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommends that at-risk individuals be immunized with a primary series, followed by a booster dose one year after the primary series is completed, and repeated every 2-3 years if the risk remains. For individuals who are not at high risk, the need for primary series vaccination should be based on shared decision-making between the patient and clinician.
The Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero and Trumenba) is generally considered safe for pregnant women, although more research is needed to fully assess its effects on pregnant women and breastfed infants. The decision to vaccinate during pregnancy should be made through shared decision-making, considering the potential risks and benefits in each situation. The vaccine has been shown to be effective in inducing antibodies that kill several strains of MenB, and it is recommended for individuals at risk or those who wish to reduce their risk of contracting the disease.
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The Meningococcal Conjugate or MenACWY Vaccines (Menactra, Menveo, and MenQuadfi) are safe for pregnant women
The MenACWY vaccines are safe for pregnant women and their developing fetuses. The vaccines are inactivated and do not carry theoretical risks of fetal infection. The vaccines are also safe for women who are breastfeeding.
The MenACWY vaccines are safe for pregnant women, but the MenB vaccines are recommended to be postponed for pregnant women unless they are at an increased risk of contracting serogroup B meningococcal disease.
The MenACWY vaccines are safe for pregnant women, but more studies are needed to determine the safety of the MenB vaccines for pregnant women. The MenB vaccines are recommended to be postponed for pregnant women unless they are at an increased risk of contracting serogroup B meningococcal disease.
The MenACWY vaccines are safe for pregnant women, and vaccination is recommended for those at risk of contracting meningococcal disease, regardless of pregnancy status. The MenB vaccines are recommended to be postponed for pregnant women unless they are at an increased risk of contracting serogroup B meningococcal disease.
The MenACWY vaccines are safe for pregnant women, and there is no recommended waiting time before trying to get pregnant after receiving the vaccine. The MenB vaccines are recommended to be postponed for pregnant women unless they are at an increased risk of contracting serogroup B meningococcal disease.
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The Meningococcal Vaccine does not increase the chance of birth defects
The meningococcal vaccines do not contain live bacteria that could cause meningococcal disease. There is no recommended waiting time before trying to get pregnant after receiving a meningococcal vaccine. Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons, and reviews of reports of vaccination during pregnancy do not suggest an increased chance of miscarriage with meningococcal vaccines.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not assigned a pregnancy category for the meningococcal group B vaccine. However, animal studies have not shown any harm to the fetus or impaired fertility. The FDA has established a pregnancy registry to monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to the meningococcal group B vaccine.
The meningococcal A conjugate vaccine has been studied in pregnant women in Ghana, and no significant difference was found in pregnancy-related outcomes such as overall maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality, miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and rates of caesarean section between vaccinated and unvaccinated women.
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The Meningococcal Vaccine does not increase the chance of miscarriage
The meningococcal vaccines do not contain live bacteria that could cause meningococcal disease. There is no recommended waiting time before trying to get pregnant.
In a study of 1,730 pregnant women who were vaccinated during a mass vaccination campaign in Ghana, there was no significant difference in any of the pre-specified outcomes between women who had received the meningococcal A conjugate vaccine and those who had not. Miscarriage rates were 1.8% in the vaccinated group and 2.2% in the unvaccinated group.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed reports from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System for pregnant women who received meningococcal vaccines during the years 2005-2011. The review did not find any unusual or unexpected pattern of adverse events in mothers or infants.
Animal studies of the meningococcal group B vaccine did not show impaired fertility or harm to the fetus.
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Frequently asked questions
The meningitis vaccine is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to assess the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated.
Yes, there are two types of meningitis vaccines available in the United States: meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines (Menactra®, Menveo®, and MenQuadfi®) and serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines (Bexsero® and Trumenba®).
The CDC and other health organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants. However, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to assess the risks and benefits.
There is no evidence to suggest that the meningitis vaccine affects male fertility or increases the chance of birth defects. Exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are generally unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy.