The health authorities have decided to vaccinate pregnant women and lactating mothers as per the recommendation of the Covid-19 advisory committee.
Many pregnant women are getting infected with Covid-19 in the second wave and facing adverse situations. Considering this, the Nation Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 gave the decision, reports Bangla Tribune.
Experts say Covid-19 causes low oxygen saturations in pregnant women, which causes the mothers and unborn infants to die. Hence, vaccination is the only reliable means of protection.
A guideline signed by Member Secretary of the Vaccine Deployment Committee of the DGHS Dr Shamsul Haque stipulates that pregnant women cannot be vaccinated if they are sick on the day of vaccination.
Also, Covid-19 vaccine cannot be given to pregnant women with uncontrolled long-term diseases. If a pregnant woman has a previous history of vaccine allergy, she cannot be given the Covid-19 vaccine as well, adds the guideline.
It says if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with an adverse event following immunization (AEFI) after taking the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, she cannot be given a second dose.
Also Read - Covid-19: High Court wants decision within 72hrs on inoculating pregnant women
At the same time, the guideline states that vaccination cannot be given without the signature of the vaccine aspirant or a legal guardian of the woman and counseling physician in a consent form.
There is insufficient information about the benefits and harmfulness of Covid-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Like any other vaccine, the Covid-19 vaccine is equally prone to post-vaccine adverse reactions in women and there is no information on long-term effects.
The notice says that there is no special directive. In this case, vaccinations have to be done following the existing rules like everyone else.
The Health Ministry previously excluded pregnant women from the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program since it started in February, as the vaccines were not tested on the demographic in a clinical setting.
However, pregnant women in different countries around the world are now being vaccinated and so far no data on side effects have been reported.
As a matter of fact, the United States, United Kingdom and Australian health authorities are suggesting Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant women to minimize risks.
Also, the World Health Organization said pregnant women should receive the vaccine as the benefits surpass the adverse effects.
