Are COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women advisable?
COVID-19 during pregnancy: Pregnancy does not increase the risk of COVID-19 infection. Most pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have a mild disease. Although most (>90 per cent) infected pregnant women recover without any need for hospitalization, rapid deterioration in health may occur in a few and that might affect the foetus too.
Who are at higher risk?
Someone who is a healthcare worker or a frontline worker.
- Communities having a high or increasing rate of COVID-19 infections.
- Frequently exposed to people outside the household.
- Difficulty in complying with social distancing if living in a crowded household.
- Older than 35 years of age
- Overweight and obese
- Pre-existing illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- History of blood clotting
Newborn babies of COVID positive women
- Most (over 95 per cent) newborns of COVID-19 positive mothers are in good condition at birth.
- In some cases, COVID-19 infections in pregnancy may increase the possibility of premature delivery, the baby’s weight might be less than 2.5 kg and in rare situations, the baby might die before birth.
- In case a woman has been infected with COVID-19 during the current pregnancy, then she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery.
Vaccination for pregnant women
- It is important that pregnant women take all precautions to protect themselves from acquiring COVID-19, including taking vaccination against COVID-19.
- The COVID-19 vaccines available are safe and vaccination protects pregnant women against COVID-19 illness/disease like other individuals.
Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines?
Like any medicine, a vaccine may have side effects which are normally mild. After getting the vaccine injection,
- Mild fever, pain at the injection site or feel unwell for 1-3 days.
- The long-term adverse effects and safety of the vaccine for foetus and child is not established yet.
- Very rarely (one in 1-5 lakh persons), the pregnant women may experience some of the following symptoms within 20 days after getting the COVID-19 vaccination which may require immediate attention
If a pregnant woman has already had COVID-19, when should she be vaccinated?
In case a woman has been infected with COVID-19 during the current pregnancy, then she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery.
What other precautions need to be taken after a pregnant woman gets the vaccine?
In order to protect themselves and those around from spreading the COVID-19 infection, you must counsel the pregnant woman and her family members to continue practicing the
COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviors:
- Wear a double mask
- Practice frequent hand washing
- Maintain physical distance and avoid going to crowded places
How does a pregnant woman register herself for COVID-19 vaccination?
- All pregnant women need to register themselves on the Co-WIN portal or may get themselves registered on-site at the COVID-19 vaccination centre.
- The process of registration for pregnant women remains the same as of the general population and as per the latest guidance provided by the MoHFW from time to time.
Myth buster: You cannot get COVID-19 infection from vaccination.
