Sinovac’s influenza vaccine lacks clinical data for pregnant women

This year’s seasonal influenza vaccination program launched on the 25th of this month. The government procured approximately 1.3 million doses of vaccine, introducing the Sinovac and Sanofi vaccines for the first time. Secretary for Health and Medical Affairs Lo Chung-mau stated that vaccine supply is affected by multiple factors, necessitating diversification and procurement from various channels, all while upholding the highest standards.
Regarding the lack of clinical testing data for Sinovac’s influenza vaccine on pregnant women, Lo Chung-mau acknowledged that while this data is indeed lacking, it does not mean pregnant women are unsuitable for vaccination. He emphasized that the Sinovac vaccine is not contraindicated for pregnant women. He stated that the inactivated vaccine itself is safe for pregnant women and has no effect on the fetus. However, due to the lack of clinical data specifically for pregnant women, guidelines recommend that pregnant women consult their doctor and assess the risks before vaccination.