The question of pregnant women‘s eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine in India has been under question ever since the vaccination drive began in India. There have been confusions on whether or not pregnant women should take the vaccine dose and what are the dos and don’ts of the process. The Indian health ministry has finally addressed all the doubts in the matter.

The health ministry on the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory
Group on Immunization (NTAGI) gave a go-ahead for pregnant women to be vaccinated against coronavirus.

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“The decision empowers pregnant women to make an informed choice on taking the COVID vaccination,” the ministry said in its statement.

What was the status of COVID vaccination in pregnant women before this?

Till earlier today, pregnant women in India were not approved to receive COVID vaccination. All other groups were eligible for vaccination. Now pregnant women will be allowed to get their vaccination done and take part in the world’s largest immunisation drive.

Are pregnant women more vulnerable to COVID?

Several credible studies and health experts have suggested that the impact of COVID-19 infection is grave on pregnant women and their foetus. The ministry also acknowledged that corona infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration
of the health of pregnant women and they are at an increased risk of severe
diseases. Keeping this in mind, COVID vaccination in pregnant women becomes a priority.

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Vaccine registration process for pregnant women

There is no special mechanism or portal launched for pregnant women to get their vaccine registration done or treated as a priority. All the pregnant women, who want to get vaccinated have to get themselves registered and book a slot through CoWin or Arogya Setu app.

The
procedures and modalities 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 COVID vaccination programme, the ministry said.