Webinar: COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Recorded: 2nd March 2021

Language: English

Although the absolute risk for severe COVID-19 in pregnancy remains low, it is now established that pregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19-associated illness compared with non-pregnant women. Such illness may require hospitalisation, admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation and even cause death. Thus, the prevention of critical COVID-19 infection is of paramount importance for both the mother and her fetus.

Based on the available evidence, FIGO considers there to be minimal risks – actual or theoretical – that would outweigh the potential benefits of vaccination for pregnant women. We therefore support offering COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant and breastfeeding women. In this webinar, leading speakers set out FIGO’s position on COVID-19 vaccination and also explore the need for counselling skills for OBGYNs to ensure women can make informed choices. Taking a risk-based approach to the benefits of universal protection, our expert speakers discuss the safety, efficacy and indications of the various vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Click here to read the FIGO Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women.

Co-chairs

Dr Faysal El Kak, FIGO Vice President, Lebanon

Dr Jeanne Conry, FIGO President Elect, USA

Professor Dame Lesley Regan, FIGO Honorary Secretary, UK

Speakers

Dr Carlos Füchtner, FIGO President, Bolivia

Dr Denise Jamieson, James Robert McCord Professor and Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, USA

Dr Frank A. Chervenak, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Associate Dean of International Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell, USA 

Dr Anwar Nassar, Chair of FIGO Committee for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health, Lebanon