The Union Health Ministry has laid out fresh Covid guidelines for administering vaccine jabs to pregnant women, adding that pregnancy doesn't increase the risk of Covid infection.
"Most pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have a mild disease, but their health may deteriorate rapidly and that might affect the foetus too. They must take themselves from acquiring Covid-19, including taking vaccination against Covid-19. It is therefore advised that a pregnant woman should take Covid-19 vaccines," the health ministry stated.
The safety level of the Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant women
Vaccines available are safe and vaccination will protect pregnant women from Covid disease and its severity, the ministry said. Just like any medicine, a vaccine may have normal reactions like mild fever, pain at the place of vaccine injection, or may feel unwell for 1-3 days. Long term adverse effects and safety of the vaccine for the foetus and child has not been specified yet.
However, the ministry stated that in rare cases (one in 100,000-500,000), pregnant women might undergo some of the following symptoms within 20 days after taking the shot which may require immediate medical attention.
The recovery rate of Covid-19 positive mothers
Pregnant women who get infected with the virus, in 90% of cases will recover without hospitalisation, while a rapid decline in health can occur in a few.
It further states that "Symptomatic pregnant women appear to be at an increased risk of severe disease and death. In case of severe disease, like all other patients, pregnant women shall also need hospitalization. Pregnant women with underlying medical conditions e.g, high blood pressure, obesity, age over 35 years are at a higher risk of severe illness due to Covid-19."
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Newborns health born of Covid-19 positive mothers
Clearing doubts regarding the baby's health, the ministry notified that over 95 per cent of the newborns born from a Covid positive mother have been in good condition at birth. Though in a few cases, the ministry noted that Covid infection during pregnancy may increase chances of premature delivery and the baby's weight might be less than 2.5kg and in rare situations and might die before birth.
Who is at higher risk of acquiring complications after Covid-19?
"Women older than 35 years of age, obese women, having a pre-existing illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure, having a history of clotting in the limbs are at a higher risk of developing complications after Covid-19 infection. In case a woman has been infected with Covid-19 during the current pregnancy, then she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery," said the ministry.
Pregnant women registration on Co-Win portal/on-site vaccination centre
All pregnant women have been advised to get themselves registered on the Coin portal or get a registration on-site at the Covid-19 vaccination centre, the ministry informed.