Days after the Central government said that a COVID-19 vaccinecan be given to pregnant women, medical experts have come up with some measures to ensure safe vaccination for this population group.

In addition to special vaccination drives for these women, on-site consultations by gynecologists should be arranged, even for women not registered for ante-natal care. A registry of vaccinated pregnant women must be maintained for long-term follow-ups.

Sanjay Gupte, chairman (ethical committee) of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, said that pregnant women should be given priority at vaccination sites and should be assigned a day or a specific time during the day.

The Center had revised an earlier policy on 25th June, stating that pregnant women should be vaccinated against COVID-19. Gupte said that a separate registry, according to trimester, must be maintained for pregnant women undergoing vaccination to help in follow-ups and for data aggregation.

Women with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension or immune suppression treatment should be vaccinated only with obstetricians’ consultation and permission. Women planning a pregnancy can also take the vaccine. Husband and wife can take the same or different vaccines as it will not affect fertility, as stated by gynecologist and infertility expert Dr Sanjeev Khurd.

Specialists have stated that Covishield and Covaxin do not contain any live virus and there is no biological mechanism in the vaccines that can cause Covid in the mother or unborn fetus. Hence, no transmission will happen during pregnancy or through breast milk.

Dr Pankaj Sarode said that the decision is beneficial for pregnant women with comorbidities and a high risk of exposure owing to their work. 

Source: ET Healthworld