Recently a report prepared by a group of doctors from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, emphasized the need of vaccinating pregnant women as a high priority group. The safety and efficacy of Covid vaccination, along with the benefits of passing on the protection to the newborn, will further decrease the heavy burden of maternal and under-five mortality, the report said. Currently, only a few countries are including pregnant women for vaccination, excluding India.

Pregnant women are known to be at significantly higher risk for severe coronavirus-related complications than non-pregnant women, so it is important to save them in priority by inoculation. Also, the Covid vaccination in pregnancy renders dual benefit, by providing the antibodies to both, mother and newborn. So, it is important to vaccinate them in the routine protocol for antenatal care in all countries, particularly India and Indonesia, the report summarized.