Infants exposed to certain biologics during pregnancy can safely receive rotavirus vaccine

A woman before birth, then holding her baby. Colourbox A study by University of Calgary researchers and the Canadian Immunization Research Network may prompt a change to vaccination guidelines for infants. Researchers investigated how the immune systems of babies exposed to biologic agent medications during pregnancy are affected. Biologic agents or biologics are commonly used in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. People with these types of diseases who become pregnant are generally encouraged to continue biologic therapy throughout pregnancy, helping to prevent disease flares or other complications. In the past it hasn't been well understood how biologics affect the developing immune system of a fetus, including the potential impacts into childhood. "The present recommendations were not supported by evidence and from an infectious disease and vaccinology perspective, we knew it didn't make a lot of sense to keep the rotavirus vaccine away from this population," says Dr. Cora Constantinescu, MD, Calgary principal investigator.