News02/25/2020

In the race for coronavirus vaccines, don’t leave pregnant women behind

As the world rushes to develop new vaccines against Covid-19, there is a real risk that pregnant women and their babies will not be among those who are able to benefit from them.

As several thousand people become newly infected each day with the novel coronavirus Covid-19, and some die of it, there are accelerated efforts to develop new coronavirus vaccines. The World Health Organization has activated its R&D Blueprint, new investments are in the pipeline, and multiple vaccine candidates are expected to advance to clinical trials.

But as the world rushes to develop new vaccines against Covid-19, there is a real risk that pregnant women and their babies will not be among those who are able to benefit from them.

CIR Director Dr. Ruth Karron, Center for Global Development policy fellow Carleigh Krubiner and Berman Institute of Bioethics Director Dr. Ruth Faden offer a first opinion on the importance of including pregnant women in upcoming coronavirus vaccine trials.  Read more…