Pregnant women can now register on Co-WIN, walk in for Covid-19 vaccine: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry on Friday approved vaccination of pregnant women for Covid-19 as recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

“In case of pregnant women, it involves the safety of two lives – the mother and the child in her womb. Hence, we have decided to vaccinate pregnant women,” N K Arora, Chairperson of the NTAGI said in an official statement.

The decision empowers pregnant women to make an informed choice on taking the Covid vaccination, the ministry said, adding these women can now register on Co-WIN or walk-in to the nearest Covid vaccination centre to get themselves inoculated.

Arora said vaccination of pregnant women was required as mortality rates in this group had increased two to three times during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in comparison with the first wave.

“All pregnant women who will be vaccinated will be tracked by means of a network to monitor signs of discomfort. Foetal outcomes, that is, growth of the child in the mother's womb, will also be monitored,” Arora said.

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According to the guidelines, a pregnant woman should be made aware of the benefits of vaccination, its potential side-effects and the precautions that need to be taken.

The guidelines also spell out in clear terms the need for systematic reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and such instances should be reported to the vaccinator or the nearest health facility.

The guidelines also stress the need to train all medical officers, private practitioners and frontline health workers on their role in AEFI surveillance related to the Covid-19 vaccination of pregnant women.

The decision has been communicated to all the states and union territories to implement it under the ongoing National Covid Vaccination Program, the health ministry said in a statement.

Studies have shown that Covid infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration of health of pregnant women and they are at an increased risk of severe diseases and it might affect the foetus too, it said.

The matter has been examined by domain knowledge experts based on the evidence that indicates that pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from Covid compared to non-pregnant women in case they get infected.