Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic PolyI:C
07:13

Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic PolyI:C

Published on: March 25, 2016

18.8K

Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Potential Impact on Fetal and Neonatal Development

Niel A Karrow1, Umesh K Shandilya1, Steven Pelech2

  • 1Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.

Vaccines
|November 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 vaccines were rapidly developed, but pregnant women were excluded from trials. This review examines potential risks of viral vector and mRNA vaccines to fetuses and neonates, proposing an ovine model for long-term study.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Obstetrics
  • Neonatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid vaccine development.
  • Pregnant women were excluded from initial clinical trials for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
  • The safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant individuals, fetuses, and neonates remains largely undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the components of first-generation viral vector and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
  • To explore potential adverse reactions that may impact fetal and neonatal development.
  • To discuss the utility of an ovine model for studying long-term vaccination outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of COVID-19 vaccine components and known adverse reactions.
  • Analysis of potential impacts of vaccine-associated adverse events on prenatal and neonatal development.
  • Exploration of the ovine model for preclinical safety and efficacy studies.

Main Results:

  • Common COVID-19 vaccine reactions (e.g., fever, fatigue) could potentially affect fetal/neonatal development.
  • Specific components in viral vector and mRNA vaccines may contribute to adverse reactions.
  • The ovine model offers a viable preclinical platform for assessing long-term outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is crucial to determine the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant populations.
  • Understanding vaccine components and their potential adverse effects is essential for safeguarding maternal-fetal health.
  • The ovine model presents a promising avenue for investigating the long-term consequences of prenatal vaccination.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2fetal developmentneonatal developmentvaccines

More Related Videos

Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring09:09

Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring

Published on: August 17, 2022

1.9K
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

3.9K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.0K
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
503
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
543