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It’s easy to point fingers and place blame, but the lack of clarity around the effectiveness, safety and ability of pregnant and breastfeeding individuals to receive the #COVID19 vaccine is a failure at multiple levels.
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@picardonhealth @maywarren11 @kellygrant1
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.@picardonhealth @maywarren11 @kellygrant1
1/9
Pregnant & breastfeeding individuals were systematically excluded from #COVID19 vaccine trials.
This parallels other epidemics like Ebola, where the lack of data on pregnant individuals resulted in them having delayed or denied access to vaccines: https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/25/coronavirus-vaccine-covid-19-pregnant-women/
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This parallels other epidemics like Ebola, where the lack of data on pregnant individuals resulted in them having delayed or denied access to vaccines: https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/25/coronavirus-vaccine-covid-19-pregnant-women/
2/9
At a national level, NACI’s recommendation is confusing—it first said pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should NOT be offered the vaccine, and in the same paragraph also stated that they SHOULD be offered the vaccine in some situations.
Clear as mud?
3/9
Clear as mud?
3/9
At a provincial level, the @ONThealth Pfizer-BioNTech #COVID19 vaccine consent form lists pregnancy and breastfeeding as contraindications to getting the vaccine: https://www.ona.org/wp-content/uploads/covid19_consentform_20201214.pdf
4/9
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Then at a vaccine administration centre level, the ministry’s consent form is not being uniformly applied as pregnant individuals are getting the OK to receive the #COVID19 vaccine in some centres but not in others, which leads to further confusion: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/01/pregnant-health-care-workers-excluded-from-covid-19-vaccination-in-at-least-two-toronto-hospitals.html
5/9
5/9
We now know that pregnant individuals with #SARSCoV2 are more likely to experience severe #COVID19 illness and adverse maternal outcomes: https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3320
We also know that women account for >80% of Canadian healthcare workers, with many in their reproductive years.
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We also know that women account for >80% of Canadian healthcare workers, with many in their reproductive years.
6/9
I know of Ontario healthcare workers who have lied about their breastfeeding status in order to receive the #COVID19 vaccine—the same issue may exist for pregnant individuals.
This creates added anxiety and will impact data collection on vaccine safety in this population.
7/9
This creates added anxiety and will impact data collection on vaccine safety in this population.
7/9
Developing a #COVID19 vaccine that pregnant and breastfeeding individuals aren't able to use is both a failure and an injustice.
This clear issue of inequity has been exacerbated at all levels, including the national, provincial and vaccine administration centre levels.
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This clear issue of inequity has been exacerbated at all levels, including the national, provincial and vaccine administration centre levels.
8/9
Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, especially those at high risk of exposure or severe illness, should have the CHOICE to receive the #COVID19 vaccine—they should be able to weigh the theoretical risks & the known benefits of vaccination with their healthcare providers.
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