COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women: Health Ministry Issued New Guidelines

The Union Health Ministry has recently issued guidelines to guide frontline workers and vaccinators on how to counsel pregnant women around the COVID-19 vaccine and precautions to ensure an informed decision. They said that approximately 90% or more pregnant women that get infected recover easily without the need for hospitalisation, few cases have seen a speedy drop in well-being that might affect the foetus, therefore, it is advised that a pregnant woman should take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The document issued by the Union Health Ministry said, pregnancy does not increase the risk of COVID-19 infection but taking precautions by getting the jab is extremely important. They further said, “All pregnant women can register themselves on the Co-WIN portal or get themselves registered on-site at the COVID-19 vaccination centre.”

Here are some guidelines for administering COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant women:

• Most pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have a mild disease, but their health may deteriorate rapidly and that might affect the foetus too. They must take all precautions to protect themselves from acquiring COVID-19, including taking vaccination against COVID-19
• Health care worker or a frontline worker; community having a high or increasing rate of COVID-19 infections; frequently exposed to people outside the household and difficulty in complying with social distancing if living in a crowded household are at higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19.
• If a pregnant woman gets infected with the virus, although most (90 per cent) infected pregnant women recover without any need for hospitalisation, rapid deterioration in health may occur in a few
• Symptomatic pregnant women appear to be at an increased risk of severe disease and death.
• In case of severe disease, like all other patients, pregnant women shall also need hospitalization
• Pregnant women with underlying medical conditions e.g, high blood pressure, obesity, age over 35 years are at a higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19
• Most (over 95 per cent) newborns of COVID-19 positive mothers have been in good condition at birth. In some cases, COVID-19 infections in pregnancy may increase the possibility of premature delivery, the baby’s weight might be less than 2.5 kg and in rare situations, the baby might die before birth
• Women older than 35 years of age, obese women, having a pre-existing illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure, having a history of clotting in the limbs are at a higher risk of developing complications after COVID-19 infection
• In case a woman has been infected with COVID-19 during the current pregnancy, then she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery
• Further, the ministry informed that the COVID-19 vaccines available are safe and vaccination protects pregnant women against COVID-19 illness/disease.

Footnote

COVID-19 vaccination is extremely important and makes sure that you should register yourself for the jab as soon as you can. Take proper precautions and if you are feeling any distress after the jab, make sure to consult a doctor. Stay home, stay safe!