New Delhi: In a much-awaited decision, the Union Health Ministry has accepted the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for  pregnant women.
With this, now they can register on CoWIN or walk-in to the nearest COVID Vaccination Centre (CVC) to get themselves vaccinated. The operational guideline for vaccinating pregnant women, counselling kit for Medical Officers and Frontline Workers and IEC material for the public has been shared with States/ UTs for its implementation.

“Pregnant woman, who opts for vaccination, can be inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccines available in the country any time during their pregnancy at the nearest Government or Private COVID Vaccination Centres after registration on CoWIN or by walk-in registration at the nearest CVC.”

The procedures and modalities of for vaccination like registration, generation of certificates after vaccination, etc. will remain the same as it is for any beneficiaries above 18 years of age under the National COVID Vaccination Program. 

The Union Health Ministry had earlier said, “Most pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have a mild disease, but their health may deteriorate rapidly and that might affect the foetus too. It is important that they take all precautions to protect themselves from acquiring COVID-19, including taking vaccination against COVID-19. It is therefore advised that a pregnant woman should take                       COVID-19 vaccines.”

Safe for lactating, pregnant women: NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog Member, Dr. V.K. Paul had earlier said that four COVID-19 vaccines — Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V and Moderna — that have been approved by the Centre, are safe for lactating mothers and pregnant women. “These four vaccines are safe for lactating mothers. The vaccine has no association with infertility. 

A recent study by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) had also found that pregnant & postpartum women were more affected during second wave of COVID-19 in the country than the first.