| Interventions |
This is an observational study assessing the safety and immunogenicity of influenza and pertussis vaccination in pregnant women exposed to biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and assessing immune responses to vaccines in their infants. Exposures: Group 1: Pregnant women with autoimmune disease exposed to biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs Group 2: Pregnant women with autoimmune disease exposed to non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs Group 3: Pregnant women with autoimmune disease who are not taking any immunosuppressive medications What is required of participants: * Consent to access records and share medical history * Two blood tests for maternal participants * Two blood tests for infant participants Duration of observation for maternal participants is 5 months, and for infant participants is 7 months. All pregnant women in Australia are routinely offered pertussis vaccination in each pregnancy, and influenza vaccination in each pregnancy where it is available (i.e. depending on seasonal availability of the vaccine). The women in our study would have been routinely offered these vaccines regardless of their involvement in this study. Pertussis vaccine is given between 20 and 32 weeks gestation, in accordance with national guidelines. Influenza vaccine can be given at any time in pregnancy, and depends on availability of the vaccine. In this study, participants will receive the vaccine through their regular healthcare provider at the routine timepoints described above. |