Safety of meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine in pregnancy: a review of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Jun;208(6):478.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.027. Epub 2013 Feb 20.

Abstract

Objective: We characterized reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event (AE) Reporting System (VAERS) of pregnant women who received meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine Menactra (MenACWY-D; Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Swiftwater, PA).

Study design: We searched VAERS for reports of pregnant women who received MenACWY-D from Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2011. We conducted clinical review of reports and available medical records.

Results: Of 103 identified reports, 38 (36.7%) did not describe any AE. No maternal or infant deaths were reported. The most frequent pregnancy-specific AE was spontaneous abortion in 17 (16.5%) reports. Urinary tract infections and fever with vomiting were the most frequent nonpregnancy-specific AEs found in 4 (3.9%) and 3 (2.9%) reports, respectively. We identified 1 report with a major congenital anomaly (aqueductal stenosis and severe ventriculomegaly).

Conclusion: Our comprehensive review of reports to VAERS in pregnant women after MenACWY-D did not identify any concerning patterns in maternal, infant, or fetal outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / etiology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • United States
  • Urinary Tract Infections / etiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • MenACWY-D vaccine
  • Meningococcal Vaccines