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JAMA Study Finds COVID Vaccination in Pregnancy Cuts Severe Illness and Preterm Birth

A UBC-led JAMA analysis of nearly 20,000 Canadian pregnancies provides population-level evidence to guide maternal vaccine policy.

Overview

  • Researchers analyzed outcomes from nearly 20,000 SARS-CoV-2–affected pregnancies between April 2021 and December 2022 across eight provinces and one territory.
  • Vaccinated pregnant people were about 60% less likely to be hospitalized and 90% less likely to require intensive care than those unvaccinated at infection.
  • Preterm birth risk dropped by roughly 20% during the Delta period and 36% during Omicron for those vaccinated.
  • Vaccination administered during pregnancy was associated with even lower rates of preterm birth and stillbirth than vaccination only before pregnancy.
  • The authors say the findings support vaccination in pregnancy as some U.S. guidance has removed routine recommendations for healthy pregnant women and is facing legal challenges.