Why Is Taking COVID Vaccine Important For Pregnant Women? Experts Inform About Infection Risk

As pregnant women can be protected from COVID-19, doctors stress that the benefits of vaccination seem to far outweigh any theoretical risk.

New Delhi: The Union government has been urging pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID after it recently extended the inoculation drive for mothers-to-be.

"Scientific data is in favour of pregnant women receiving the three vaccines," NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said in this regard. With several women anxious about the impact of vaccines and COVID infection, here's what the medical experts have to say about the subject.

As pregnant women can be protected from COVID-19, doctors stress that the benefits of vaccination seem to far outweigh any theoretical risk.

Like any other vaccine, the anti-COVID jabs can cause side effects that are normally mild. The mothers can get a mild fever, pain at the injection site, or feel unwell for 1-3 days but there is no greater risk reported.

Talking about this, Dr VK Paul on Friday said that available data on these vaccines suggests that they are safe to be used by pregnant women. "Apart from the mother, there is also risk to the child in case she contracts the infection," he stressed.

In case there are any concerns or doubts, the mothers-to-be can speak to their doctor to clarify their apprehensions.

As for breastfeeding mothers, Dr Samiran Panda, head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division in the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) said that they can take the jab.

"Breastfeeding mothers should get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 without any hesitation. The anti-bodies that are developed in the mother as a result of the vaccination get passively transferred to the baby while breastfeeding and could be helpful to the child," Dr. Panda said as quoted by news agency ANI.

COVID Risk & Impact

IANS spoke to Sonal Kumta, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund, and Manjiri Mehta, Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Hiranandani Hospital Vashi about concerns regarding COVID

According to the experts, it is important to note that pregnancy does not increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Most pregnant women are either asymptomatic or experience mild symptoms, but their health can deteriorate rapidly and that might affect the foetus.

So amid precautions to protect oneself from being infected, getting vaccinated is important and therefore advised.

The experts informed that symptomatic pregnant women appear to be at an increased risk of severe disease and death. Pregnant women with underlying medical conditions/comorbidities such as high blood pressure, obesity, age over 35 years, etc are at a higher risk.

How To Get Vaccinated?

All pregnant women can register themselves on the CoWIN portal or can opt for on-site registration at the COVID-19 vaccination centre. The process of registration for pregnant women remains the same as for all adults.

Women going for vaccination must ensure proper adherence to precautions such as wearing a double mask, frequent sanitising or handwashing, maintain physical distance and avoiding crowded areas.