Italy / Third dose of vaccine in pregnancy? The indications of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità

By Cristiano Antonino On Dec 14, 2021

Italy, third dose of vaccine in pregnancy: “It is recommended that pregnant women in the second and third trimesters who wish to be vaccinated be offered a dose of mRNA vaccine as a booster to a primary vaccination cycle in accordance with current regulations”

Administration of the third dose to pregnancy: this is what the Istituto Superiore di Sanità states in a press note

“The recommendation takes into account the numerous and growing evidence regarding the safety of vaccination in pregnancy, both for the foetus and the mother; the evidence of increased morbidity associated with the Delta variant; its increasing circulation; and the significant lowering of the median age of infection in Italy.

To date, there is still little evidence of vaccinations carried out in the first trimester, so women who wish to be vaccinated in this gestational period should assess the risks and benefits with a healthcare professional.

Women at higher risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection because they are more exposed (such as health professionals or caregivers) and/or at greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease (women with risk factors such as age>30 years, BMI>30, comorbidities, citizenship of countries with high migration pressure) remain the priority target for vaccination during pregnancy.

Administration should be carried out in the authorised dosages (30 mcg in 0.3 mL for Comirnaty; 50 mcg in 0.25 mL for Spikevax), irrespective of the vaccine used for the primary cycle, and provided that a minimum interval of at least five months (150 days) has elapsed since its completion.

The booster dose can be administered at the same time as the recommended influenza and pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy.

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AFTER PREGNANCY: THIRD DOSE OF VACCINE DURING BREAST-FEEDING

With regard to vaccination during lactation, “the Italian National Institute of Health (IST) recommends offering one dose of mRNA vaccine, as a booster of a primary vaccination cycle in accordance with current regulations, to breastfeeding women, without any need to interrupt breastfeeding.

Administration should be carried out in the authorised dosages (30 mcg in 0.3 mL for Comirnaty; 50 mcg in 0.25 mL for Spikevax), irrespective of the vaccine used for the primary course and provided that a minimum interval of at least five months (150 days) has elapsed since its completion.

For breast-feeding women, it should be noted that vaccination does not expose the infant to any risk and allows it to take up antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 through milk.