Pregnant women among newest group eligible for COVID vaccines

Pregnant women and licensed child care providers are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Windsor-essex, the local health unit has announced.

The vaccine registration website was still being updated earlier Friday, but medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said both groups would be able to sign up for the jab online by the end of that day.

The province announced the same day that pregnancy had been added to the “highest-risk health condition” category, the top of the priority list under Phase 2 of Ontario's vaccine rollout currently underway. The decision was made

“in response to emerging data on the increased risk of severe illness for pregnant women,” the province said in a news release.

Unlike most others in the highest-risk category, pregnant women do not need to bring a letter from a health-care provider in order to be vaccinated.

The extended dose interval of 16 weeks “remains appropriate for this population,” the province said.

Individuals can seek vaccination at any point during their pregnancy, though special consideration should be made for those in the later stages of pregnancy.

Those who are pregnant should discuss the vaccine with a healthcare provider who is familiar with their pregnancy to review the potential risks and benefits of the vaccine, as well as the potential risks and consequences associated with contracting COVID -19 while pregnant, Ahmed said.

They should also acknowledge “the limited evidence from clinical trials of COVID -19 vaccines in the pregnant population.”

Health-care providers at the mass vaccination clinic may not be in a position to discuss all of these issues, Ahmed said.

Also eligible for vaccination are those working in child care settings, including licensed child care employees and students on educational placements who interact directly with children at licensed child care centres and “authorized recreation and skill-building programs,” as well as licensed home child care and in-home service providers and their employees and students on placements.

All child care providers must show an identification badge at the time of vaccination.

Vaccination for both groups will occur at a local mass immunization clinic. To register for the vaccine visit Wevax.ca or call 226773-2200. Anyone wondering if they are eligible for inoculation at this stage of the province's vaccine distribution plan can also visit the WEVAX website.