The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has stated that countries in the Americas should prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant and lactating women, acknowledging the potential of the vaccines to protect women and their babies.

PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said that the agency recommends that all pregnant women after the first trimester, and all breastfeeding women be administered the COVID-19 vaccine. Over 270,000 pregnant women have suffered from COVID-19 in the Americas and nearly 1% have died, stated Etienne. She also stated that in Mexico and Colombia, the disease has been the major cause of maternal deaths this year. Etienne added that only 28% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean has been fully vaccinated thus far. The vaccination coverage shows a wide variation, with one-fourth of the regional countries yet to vaccinate even 20% of their population… (Reuters, September 8, 2021)