Military, clinical trials vaccinate the pregnant
The breakdown of pregnant women inadvertently vaccinated in smallpox immunization programs is as follows:
Department of Defense: From Dec. 13, 2002, to April 22, 2003, a total of 62,222 women of reproductive age were screened for smallpox vaccination, and 52,185 were vaccinated in the military program; 85 were inadvertently exposed to smallpox vaccine during pregnancy. Of the 75 women with known vaccination status, 66 were primary vaccinees. The median age was 22 (range: 18-35). On the basis of the estimated date of conception, 62 women conceived before vaccination and 23 conceived during the four weeks after vaccination.
Civilian heath care and public health workers: From Jan. 24 to April 24, 2003, 6,174 women of reproductive age were vaccinated through the civilian program. Six were inadvertently exposed to smallpox vaccine during pregnancy. Three of the women were primary vaccinees. The median age was 31 (range: 26-38). On the basis of the estimated date of conception, two women conceived within one week before vaccination and four conceived during the four weeks after vaccination. Two of the women had miscarriages during early pregnancy. An additional two pregnant civilian women were in close contact with people recently vaccinated against smallpox. Neither of these women have had known signs or symptoms of vaccinia exposure.
Clinical studies: From November 2001 to April 24, 2003, 12 women from clinical studies who had inadvertent exposure to smallpox vaccines during pregnancy have been reported to the registry. The denominator for women of reproductive age for this population is not available. The median age was 28 (range: 18-42). Each of the women had a negative pregnancy test on the day of vaccination.1
Reference
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Small-pox and pregnancy: Women with smallpox vaccine exposure during pregnancy reported to the National Smallpox Vaccine in Pregnancy Registry — United States, 2003. MMWR 2003; 52(17):386-388.
The breakdown of pregnant women inadvertently vaccinated in smallpox immunization programs is as follows.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content