Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), has caused major upheaval to many lives, economies, and health, around the globe. The sexual and reproductive health sector has been severely affected through the disruption to service delivery and by the lack of evidence on safety and risk with which to guide people who are pregnant, considering pregnancy or are using hormonal contraceptives.
This IMAP statement aims to summarise the available emerging evidence relating to COVID-19 (the disease caused by the SARSCoV-2 infection) and vaccination in pregnancy and in using the combined hormonal contraception (CHC). The situation and knowledge base on COVID-19 are dynamic and evidence will continue to grow, with guidance regularly being updated. IPPF Member Associations and other partners are advised to keep abreast of changes, as they evolve. This IMAP Statement will be updated in due course and includes signposting to reputable sources that are most likely to be updated, as further evidence emerges.
This statement is intended to support and guide IPPF Member Associations and other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), humanitarian and development organisations regarding COVID-19 and vaccination and the impact on delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). It covers issues related to advocacy to address health inequalities and stigma, in addition to medical and service delivery recommendations, evidence and practical guidance from the scientific community.
