Study to Assess Safety of Meningitis Vaccine During Pregnancy

A new study launched on World Meningitis Day (April 24) by the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line, a statewide nonprofit organization based at the University of California, San Diego, is enrolling women who have had exposure to a meningitis vaccine during the first trimester of pregnancy to determine the vaccine’s safety. Participation involves two to four phone interviews and release of medical records relating to the woman’s pregnancy.

“The meningococcal vaccine is not specifically recommended in pregnancy because it has not been well studied,” explained Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, UCSD professor of pediatrics and epidemiologics with a special focus in the area of birth defects prevention. “However, there is no data to suggest that this vaccine is harmful in pregnancy, which is why it’s so important to closely study it so that pregnant women and their healthcare providers can make the best choices for treatment and prevention in mothers and babies.” The study will be ongoing through 2015.