Pregnant women are at higher risk of being COVID positive than other women and COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth.
The world's largest vaccination drive in India began today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the programme virtually. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed all states and union territories that women who are breastfeeding or pregnant are not allowed to take the COVID vaccine as they have not been part of any anti-coronavirus vaccine clinical trial so far.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Thursday issued precautions and information about COVID-19 vaccinations. In its release, MoHFW said that the women who are pregnant or lactating currently should not be administered the vaccine shots as they have not been a part of any anti-Coronavirus vaccine clinical trial so far. "Interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines is not permitted," the release added.
Pregnant women are at higher risk of being COVID-19 positive than non-pregnant women, and COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth. However, with the guidelines given by MoHFW, the only option left for pregnant and lactating mothers is to take precautions against the coronavirus. Here's a look as to how.
1. No vaccination for pregnant, breastfeeding mothers
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The world's largest vaccination drive in India began today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the programme virtually. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed all states and union territories that one cannot interchange the COVID-19 vaccine, and women who are breastfeeding or pregnant and youngsters of less than 18 years are not allowed to take the COVID vaccine.
(Image Source: Twitter/@drharshvardhan)
2. Pregnant, lactating women not part of clinical trial
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The letter stated, "Pregnant and lactating women have not been a part of any Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial so far. Therefore, women who are pregnant or not sure of their pregnancy and lactating women should not receive Covid-19 vaccine at this time."
(Image Source: Twitter/@drharshvardhan)
3. Pregnant women at higher risk of COVID-19
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Pregnant women are at higher risk of being COVID-19 positive than non-pregnant women, and COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth. With the vaccination drive now started in full swing, people have many questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. They are saying that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should get the COVID-19 vaccine shot at this time. But what do the experts have to say?
(Image Source: DNA/File Photo)
4. What do the guidelines say?
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What do the guidelines say about having no vaccine for pregnant and lactating women? Pregnant and lactating women have not been part of any COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial so far so they should not be vaccinated.
(Image Source: Twitter/@MidwivesRCM)
5. Guidelines followed in other countries
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What are guidelines being followed for pregnant women in other countries, majorly the UK and the US? Clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine did not include either pregnant or lactating women, and the company has said available data is so far “insufficient” to determine any risks to pregnancy posed by the vaccine, as per BBC. In the UK, this absence of data has led regulators to exclude pregnant and breastfeeding women from vaccination programmes. In the US, the decision has been left up to these women themselves.
(Image Source: Twitter/@UChicagoMed)
6. Prevention is the best method
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If you are pregnant or lactating, then you can protect yourself by wearing a mask. Mask can prevent you from contracting COVID-19 and the spread of the virus. Remember, you can spread COVID-19 even if you do not feel sick. Wash your hands often. Cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect.
(Image Source: DNA/File)
7. How to protect in absence of a vaccine shot?
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The question now arises that how to protect yourself against COVID in absence of a vaccine shot? Experts say you can protect yourself by wearing a mask at all times when out in public settings, wash your hands frequently, maintain at least 6 feet distance from people, avoid crowds, the more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are exposed to COVID-19.
(Image Source: Reuters)
