Professor Kim Yoonha of Jeonnam National University Hospital Leads the World Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Statement Release

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Professor Kim Yoon-ha of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Chonnam National University Hospital, recognized as a leading figure in obstetrics and gynecology in Korea, played a leading role in announcing the statement on vaccination during pregnancy by the "International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Committee."

FIGO is a global society of obstetrics and gynecology with 132 member countries worldwide, aiming to achieve the highest standards of women's physical, mental, reproductive, and sexual health and lifelong welfare. The Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Committee consists of 10 leading experts in maternal-fetal medicine worldwide.

Professor Kim, who was selected last year as the first Korean representative on the FIGO committee and has been actively engaged, strongly advocated for the need for global standard clinical practice guidelines on vaccination during pregnancy, greatly contributing to the announcement of this statement.

According to the statement published this month in the online edition of the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, the official journal of FIGO, influenza vaccines should be administered regardless of the stage of pregnancy, and the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine should be given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to transfer maternal antibodies to the fetus, thereby providing passive immunity against pertussis in the newborn period.

Specifically, for influenza, pregnant women are strongly recommended to receive vaccination during the epidemic season from early autumn to late spring.

The Tdap vaccine should be administered to all individuals who may come into contact with the newborn at least two weeks before contact, and pregnant women should receive it during each pregnancy.

Additionally, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, pneumococcus, and meningococcus is recommended when exposed to high-risk situations.

Vaccination during pregnancy for Group B Streptococcus and respiratory syncytial virus is currently under research, and COVID-19 vaccination was not discussed.

The FIGO Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Committee holds face-to-face meetings once a year and international video conferences every three months to develop and announce global standard guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases related to high-risk mothers and newborns.

Meanwhile, Professor Kim, who serves as the director of the High-Risk Maternal and Neonatal Integrated Care Center at Chonnam National University Hospital, is currently the honorary president of the Korean Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, chair of the High-Risk Pregnancy Committee of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and an active member of the American Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Society for Reproductive Investigation, contributing to the advancement of obstetrics and gynecology in Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.