BMC to open up vaccination drive for pregnant women on Monday

MUMBAI: The Mumbai civic corporation will offer vaccination for pregnant women at limited centres starting Monday. The state had instructed all districts to roll out vaccination for pregnant women by next week following the Centre’s recent nod on July 2. Over 20 lakh women will be eligible for vaccination in the state, including 1.5lakh in Mumbai.

BMC has decided to open up the drive at medical colleges, maternity homes and peripheral hospitals handling childbirth. Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC’s executive health officer, said 25-30 centres have been identified. Based on the response, the corporation would add more, she said.
On Thursday, the state immunisation department held training sessions on counselling corners, seating and separate queues for vaccination. Hospitals, clinics and maternity homes, which women visit for check-ups, will be roped in as counselling centres.
“Counselling is the most crucial key here. We have decided that places women visit for regular antenatal check-ups will counsel and inform them about the risks and benefits of vaccination. After they are counselled, they can head to the vaccination centres. We will provide education material to such places,” said Dr Dilip Patil, head of state immunisation. The Centre had said pregnant womenmust be given information needed to make an “informed choice”.
For pregnant women who may directly land up at a vaccination centre, Dr Gomare said, centres will station experienced staff. “They will also be informed about reporting adverse events, which is vital,” she added.
Gynaecologists have rooted for vaccination for pregnant women for months since studies found higher deaths and severe outcomes in them due to Covid, especially in the second wave. Researchers believe the new variant B.1.617 could have played a role.
“Pregnant women should consider vaccination on priority for themselves as well as the safety of the child in the womb,” Dr VK Paul, member-health, NITI Aayog, said on Friday. He said chances of preterm birth, stillbirths and other complications have been found to be higher in pregnant women.
Dr Samiran Panda, head, division of epidemiology and communicable diseases, ICMR, advocated vaccination for lactating mothers. "Antibodies developed in the mother as a result of vaccination get passively transferred to the baby while breastfeeding and could be helpful to the child," he said.