Ghana is set to pilot a Pregnancy Registry in early 2026 as part of efforts to monitor vaccine safety among pregnant women and their babies.

The initiative, launched under the Maternal Immunization Safety Monitoring Programme, aims to track any adverse events following vaccinations during pregnancy. It will be led by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Implementation will be carried out by the Dodowa and Kintampo Health Research Centres.

Pregnant women receiving care in health facilities within the catchment areas of the two research centres will be vaccinated and monitored for safety throughout their pregnancies and after delivery.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Accra, Dr. Edwin Nkansah, Director of Vaccines, Vigilance, and Clinical Trials at the FDA, said the project seeks to establish an effective system for assessing vaccine safety in pregnant women.

“One of the key aspects of this project is to monitor how pregnant women respond at each stage of pregnancy after receiving a vaccine,” Dr. Nkansah stated.

He noted that the registry would enable the FDA to collect comprehensive data on the effects of vaccines on pregnant women and their children, enhancing pharmaceutical monitoring during pregnancy.

Dr. Frank Atuguba, Director of the Dodowa Health Research Centre, revealed that 150 women from the project zones had been selected for initial monitoring from early pregnancy through delivery.

“Generally, vaccines are among the most cost-effective methods of preventing diseases. Some infections can be best tackled by vaccinating pregnant women to protect their unborn children,” Dr. Atuguba explained.

He added that the project would also include trials for vaccines against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Group B Streptococcal Pneumonia, aimed at safeguarding both mothers and infants during early life.

Madam Adeli Ashie, Chief Regulatory Officer at the FDA’s Safety and Monitoring Department, emphasized that pregnant women face a higher risk of contracting certain diseases that can lead to serious outcomes, including mortality. She said the Pregnancy Registry aligns with the FDA’s mandate to ensure the safety of vaccines used in this vulnerable group.