The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare approved vaccination of pregnant women against COVID19 yesterday on July 2. Pregnant women can now register on CoWIN or walk-in to the nearest COVID19 vaccination centre (CVC) to get themselves inoculated.

As per the health ministry, COVID19 infection during pregnancy may result in the rapid deterioration of health of pregnant women and might also affect the foetus.

In order to inform pregnant women about the benefits and possible side effects of vaccination and risks from the virus in pregnancy, the health ministry has released detailed guidelines. The guidelines suggest states to develop a counseling and vaccination plan for pregnant women.

Also Read: Health ministry allows vaccination of pregnant women

A pregnant woman who opts for vaccination could be vaccinated at any time of the pregnancy, stated the guidance note.

“The full impact of COVID-19 disease on pregnancy outcomes for mother and fetus as well as for new-born is still unclear. Therefore, pregnant women require special considerations and systematic reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI),” the guidelines state.

Why is vaccination recommended for pregnant women?

Pregnancy does not increase the risk of COVID19 infection. However, current evidence suggests that pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID19 as compared to women who are not carrying a pregnancy while getting infected.

The guidelines note that while most pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have a mild infection, their health may deteriorate rapidly and that might affect the foetal outcome.

Therefore, pregnant women have been advised to get vaccinated to protect themselves from contracting COVID19 infection.

How does the virus affect the health of pregnant women?

The ministry affirmed that most infected pregnant women recover without the need for hospitalisation. However, rapid deterioration in health may occur in a few.

In symptomatic cases, pregnant women are at increased risk of severe disease and even death. Compared with pregnant women without COVID19, those with symptomatic COVID19 are at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including admission to the intensive-care unit (ICU), iatrogenic preterm (premature) birth, pre-eclampsia-like symptoms, need for Caesarean section surgery or even death.

Also Read: Caesarean section births rise in rural India. 84% deliveries in West Bengal’s private rural facilities are C-sec, the highest in India

If already infected with COVID-19, when should pregnant women be vaccinated?

In such cases, pregnant women should be vaccinated soon after the delivery.

Also Read: COVID19 vaccination recommended for all lactating women: Health Ministry

Are there any side effects of the COVID 19 vaccines?

Based on the available information, experts believe that COVID19 vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk to the pregnant person or foetus.

A vaccine may have mild side effects such as mild fever, pain at injection site, or feel unwell for 1-3 days. The long-term adverse effects and safety of vaccine for foetus and child is not established yet.

Difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and pain in limbs are a few symptoms occurring within 20 days after receiving any COVID19 vaccine.

Pregnant women should avoid vaccination in the following conditions:

• If diagnosed COVID19 infection, then defer for 12 weeks from infection or 4 to 8 weeks from recovery.
• Active COVID19 infection.
• COVID19 infection treated with anti-COVID19 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. 

Which pregnant women are at higher risk of developing complications after COVID-19 infection?

Pregnant women who are older than 35 years of age, obese, have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or have a history of clotting in the limbs.

Also Read: 58% pregnant women in villages confirmed checkups, vaccination in the lockdown

Yesterday, on July 2, Rajesh Bhushan, secretary of the health ministry, issued a letter to all states and union territories, to undertake necessary steps to disseminate the information about of COVID vaccination of pregnant women amongst programme managers, vaccinators, community and all the pregnant women.

He also stated that the state and UTs should ensure sensitisation of vaccination teams in the government as well as in the private CVCs so that they are aware of the current vaccination policy.