Exclusion of Reproductive-aged Women in COVID-19 Vaccination and Clinical Trials.
Womens Health Issues
; 32(6): 557-563, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2016187
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
We analyzed the exclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding individuals and those capable of pregnancy in COVID-19 vaccine and clinical treatment trials.METHODS:
Inclusion and exclusion criteria were extracted from all listed COVID-19 vaccine and treatment clinical trials from May 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020, using the U.S. National Library of Medicine database. We report rates of rates of exclusion for pregnant and lactating individuals and requirements for contraception for pregnancy-capable participants in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment clinical trials. The analysis included the association between clinical trial exclusion and vaccine and treatment type, study location, sponsor, and phase.RESULTS:
Pregnant and lactating individuals were explicitly excluded from most COVID-19 vaccine and treatment clinical trials. Of the 90 vaccine trials, 88 (97.8%) excluded pregnant individuals, 73 (81.1%) excluded lactating individuals, and 56 (62.2%) required contraception use. Of the 495 treatment trials, 350 (70.7%) excluded pregnant individuals, 269 (54.3%) excluded lactating individuals, and 91 (18.4%) required contraception use. Although vaccine type was not associated with pregnancy exclusion, it was associated with lactation exclusion (p = .01) and contraception requirement (p < .001). Treatment type was associated with pregnancy exclusion, lactation exclusion, and contraception requirement (all p < .001).CONCLUSIONS:
COVID-19 vaccination and treatment clinical trials mirrored historical trends restricting participation owing to pregnancy, lactation, and contraception nonuse, despite known safety profiles. People of childbearing potential should be considered for and afforded the same opportunity as males to make informed decisions on study participation, particularly in the setting of a global pandemic.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vaccines
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Womens Health Issues
Journal subject:
Gynecology
/
Obstetrics
/
Women's Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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