Virus protection during pregnancy
THE GOVERNMENT NOD FOR VACCINES FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS WILL BRING A SIGNIFICANT VULNERABLE SECTION OF THE POPULATION UNDER PROTECTIVE COVER
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Union Ministry of Health have announced that the Covid-19 vaccine can be offered to pregnant women — a long-awaited endorsement coming after the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and the global medical fraternity both gave the go-ahead.
“The second wave of Covid-19 infection with the delta variant has shown that though almost 2/3rd of infected women are asymptomatic or have mild infection, the illness can become severe, needing intensive care, particularly in advanced stages of pregnancy. It also increases risk of premature birth and sudden foetal death, says Dr Vaishali Joshi, senior obstetrician and gynaecologist at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital. She however clarifies that the chances of the unborn baby getting infected with Covid 19 through the placenta are almost negligible.”
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), pregnant women or recently pregnant women who are older, overweight, and have pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, seem to have an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. “When pregnant women develop severe disease, they also seem to more often require care in intensive care units than non-pregnant women of reproductive age,” says Dr Preeti Reddy, MD (Internal Medicine), Director, Malla Reddy Health City. “Due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections. Complexities are definitely higher in managing the deliveries of Covid Positive women,” she adds.
Data on the safety of the vaccine in pregnancy is not available for all the different vaccine brands. “The Pfizer Bio N Tech and Moderna vaccine have safety data for over 90,000 pregnant women in the USA. Unfortunately, it’s not yet available in India,” says Dr Vaishali.
“Vaccination should be taken on priority by pregnant and lactating mothers as it’s a vulnerable group,” feels Padma Shri Awardee Dr Manjula Anagani, Clinical Director and HoD, Dept. of Gyn. and Obst. & Lap. Surgery, Care Hospitals. “They should be given topmost priority. Vaccinations should not be delayed or postponed between two doses. All women, whether adolescent, before pregnancy after pregnancy, or in the older group, should definitely take the Covid vaccine,” she stresses.
Due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections. Complexities are definitely higher in managing the deliveries of Covid Positive women.
Vaccination should be taken on priority by pregnant and lactating mothers as it’s a vulnerable group. They should be given topmost priority. Vaccinations should not be delayed or postponed between two doses. All women should definitely take the Covid vaccine.
— DR MANJULA ANAGANI, Clinical Director and HoD, Dept. of Gyn. and Obst. & Lap. Surgery, Care Hospitals
MD (Internal Medicine), Director, Malla Reddy Health City