WHO advises against pregnant women taking Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday advised against pregnant women taking the Moderna coronavirus vaccine unless they are health care workers or have preexisting conditions. 

“While pregnancy puts women at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, the use of this vaccine in pregnant women is currently not recommended, unless they are at risk of high exposure (e.g. health workers),” the WHO posted on its website. 

According to the organization, the Moderna vaccine needs more data and clinical trials on pregnant women before the WHO can recommend it for them.

“There is no reason to think there could be a problem in pregnancy, we are just acknowledging the data is not there at the moment,” said Kate O’Brien, WHO’s director of immunization, Reuters reported. 

WHO announced on Jan. 8 that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was not recommended for pregnant women unless they are at a particularly high risk for the virus or a health care worker. 

Pregnant women are not the only ones who were recommended against getting the Moderna product on Tuesday. The WHO also put out guidelines for other groups that should avoid the vaccine.

Those under the age of 18 should avoid it until more data is released, and those with a history of allergic reactions to any part of the vaccine should not take it. Elderly patients with a life expectancy of less than three months should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Millions of people worldwide have already received the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. The company’s vaccine is made up of two shots that are taken a few weeks apart. 

Most countries are prioritizing giving health care workers, the elderly and people with preexisting conditions the inoculation since they face increased risk of severe symptoms and death related to the disease. 

–Updated on Jan. 28 at 1:14 p.m.