Pregnant women testing positive can opt for inoculation after delivery, say experts

PUNE: Health experts have emphasized on sensitizing the masses about the Union government’s norms on vaccinating pregnant women against Covid-19 if they have had the infection. The guidelines have made it clear that such expecting mothers should be vaccinated soon after delivery.
However, if the pregnant woman is highly exposed and more at risk of contracting Covid-19 due to the nature of her job, crowded living or preexisting health conditions, then she can defer the vaccination for 12 weeks from the onset of infection (symptoms) or four to eight weeks from recovery, the guidelines specified.
“Pre-existing co-morbidities, advanced maternal age and high body mass index are risk factors for severe Covid -19 during pregnancy. These women have a greater risk of severe illness from Covid-19, hence, they should opt for vaccination 12 weeks from the infection or four to eight weeks from full recovery,” said gynaecologist Pankaj Sarode.
Besides, pregnant women working as healthcare or frontline workers and living in a community with a high or increasing rate of Covid-19 infections should also not wait till delivery to get the shot.
He said pregnant women who are frequently exposed to people outside the household and face difficulty in complying with social distancing should also not wait till delivery. “They should take the vaccination 12 weeks from the Covid infection or the four to eight weeks from recovery,” Sarode said.
Covid-19 infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration of pregnant women’s health and could also affect the fetus. The health experts are of the view that the benefits of vaccination to pregnant women outweigh its potential risks.
Based on the recommendations from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the ministry of health and family welfare has approved vaccination of pregnant women against Covid-19 with the condition that they be informed about the risks of exposure to Covid-19 infection, along with the risks and benefits associated with the Covid-19 vaccines available in the country.
Health activist Abhijit More stressed on public education. “The state government and respective district administration should adopt mass media tools like radio, television and newspapers to sensitise people about the benefits of Covid vaccination in pregnant women as there is a lot of hesitancy among this subset of the population.”