Pregnant? The Covid 19 Vaccination Drive Is Open To You But A Few Indian States Have Hiccups
India is by far one of the worst-hit places in the world with regards to Covid19. With the talks of the onset of a third wave, the stakes are getting high and the anxiety around the country is rising. With our frontline healthcare workers stretched thin, the hope – that we will get through this – is still intact only due to the vaccination drive. And the government is doing its best to provide vaccinations for everyone above the age of 18. The Center also revised its policy and has now opened up Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women.
On last Friday, Union Ministry gave the approval, opening up the vaccination option to pregnant women in India. The decision was backed by the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
The Union Ministry’s decision to open up vaccination for pregnant women empowers these women to make a sound and informed choice regarding their vaccination. These women, just like the rest can register on CoWIN or walk-in to the nearest Covid-19 vaccination center to get themselves inoculated.
The decision by the Ministry has been circulated for all states and Union territories in the country. And the decision to get pregnant women vaccinated against Covid-19 will be implemented under the National Covid Vaccination Program that was initiated by the government.
View this post on Instagram
And with the passing of this decision pregnant women in any part of the country can get easily vaccinated for Covid-19. Pregnant women who are at higher risk of getting infected with Covid-19 can rest assured that since there are no live viruses in the vaccine, they can choose to get vaccinated without the fear of harming the child. Specialists in the field also added that the transmission during pregnancy or through breastfeeding is negligible which makes it even safer for them and their children.
However, with the vaccine shortage, a few states are struggling to get their populations vaccinated. Maharashtra is yet to allot centres for the vaccination of pregnant women and it is likely that the state may not kick this drive off immediately. Tamil Nadu was already vaccinating pregnant and lactating mothers but an extreme vaccine shortage may be a bump in the process. In other states, while the vaccination drive is on, the shortage has forced several government authorities to take tough decisions regarding the number of people being given the doses.
