New Delhi: Accepting recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Friday approved the vaccination of pregnant women against Covid-19.
The decision empowers the pregnant women to make an informed choice on taking the Covid vaccination.
This decision has been communicated to all the states and Union Territories to implement it under the ongoing National Covid Vaccination Program.
Incorporating the recommendations of the foremost experts in the field of immunization, public health, disease control and information technology, the National Covid Vaccination Program – based on scientific and epidemiological evidence – gives priority to strengthening the country’s healthcare system by protecting the professionals, health and frontline workers, manning it, as well as protecting the most vulnerable population groups.
“Till date, all groups except pregnant women were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Now, it is expanded to even pregnant women in the world’s largest Immunization drive,” the ministry said in a release.
The Union Health Ministry said the studies have shown that Covid-19 infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration of health of pregnant women, adding they are at an increased risk of severe diseases and it might affect fetuses too.
Stating the matter has been examined by domain knowledge experts based on evidence indicating that pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19 compared to non-pregnant women in case they get infected, the ministry said: “Further, pregnant women with Covid-19 infection are at an increased risk for preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes including higher chances of neonatal morbidity.”
The ministry said the experts have also highlighted pre-existing co-morbidities, advanced maternal age, and high body mass Index as the factors for severe Covid-19 in pregnancy.
The ministry said the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) too has unanimously recommended vaccination for pregnant women.
Stating that a national-level consultation on Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women was also convened to build consensus on vaccination of pregnant women, the ministry said the consultation unanimously welcomed the recommendation of NTAGI to vaccinate pregnant women.
Accepting the recommendations from all, including professional bodies like FOGSI, CSOs, NGOs, Development Partner agencies, technical experts and state governments’ representatives, the ministry has prepared an operational guideline for vaccination of pregnant women, counselling kit for medical officers and Front Line Workers, and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material for general public to equip the states and UTs to carry out the vaccination of pregnant women.
The pregnant woman opting for vaccination can be inoculated any time during their pregnancy at the nearest government or private Covid-19 Vaccination Center (CVC) after registration on CoWIN or by walk-in registration at the nearest CVC.
The ministry further said the procedures and modalities of vaccination will remain the same as it is for any beneficiary above the age of 18 years under the National Covid Vaccination Program.