Flu Vaccination During Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes

MedicalResearch Interview:
Dr Nicoline van der Maas MD
Epidemiologist
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Centre for Infectious Disease Control
Epidemiology and Surveillance
The Netherlands

MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. van der Maas: The main finding, presented at the ESPID, is that we found no difference in growth, development and infection related contact rates with the general practitioner after the first year of life between infants of unvaccinated mothers and infants of mothers, vaccinated with an adjuvanted Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

The offer of a H1N1 vaccination to pregnant women in their second and third trimester did not have a negative impact on infants’ health during the first year of life.

MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. van der Maas:

  • A follow up study on infants’ health later on in life.
  • More controlled studies to vaccination during pregnancy, not only related to influenza, but also to other vaccine preventable diseases.
  • Studies on the acceptance, and feasibility.

Citation: Abstract presented at the:

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR PAEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES (ESPID)

THE INFLUENCE OF VACCINATION AGAINST INFLUENZA A (H1N1) DURING PREGNANCY ON INFANT’S HEALTH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE

Last Updated on May 10, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD