Menactra Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Menactra during pregnancy.
Risk Summary: All pregnancies have a risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Menactra administration in pregnant women in the US. Available data suggest that rates of major birth defects and miscarriage in women who received Menactra 30 days prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy are consistent with estimated background rates.
Menactra vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed, such as during an outbreak or prior to necessary travel to an endemic area, and only following an assessment involving the healthcare professional and patient of the risks and benefits.
Considering the severity of the meningococcal disease, pregnancy should not preclude vaccination when the risk is clearly identified.
A developmental toxicity study was performed in female mice given 0.1 mL (in divided doses) of Menactra prior to mating and during gestation (a single human dose is 0.5 mL). The study revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to Menactra [see Animal Data as follows].
Data: Human Data: A pregnancy registry spanning 11 years (2005-2016) included 222 reports of exposure to Menactra from 30 days before or at any time during pregnancy. Of these reports, 87 had known pregnancy outcomes available and were enrolled in the pregnancy registry prior to the outcomes being known. Outcomes among these prospectively followed pregnancies included 2 major birth defects and 6 miscarriages.
Animal Data: A developmental toxicity study was performed in female mice. The animals were administered 0.1 mL of Menactra (in divided doses) at each of the following time points: 14 days prior to mating, and on Days 6 and 18 of gestation (a single human dose is 0.5 mL). There were no vaccine-related fetal malformations or variations, and no adverse effects on pre-weaning development observed in the study.
Lactation: Risk Summary: The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Menactra and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Menactra. Data are not available to assess the effects of Menactra on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion.