DOH seeking advice of ob-gyne experts on vaccination of pregnant women

The Department of Health (DOH) will consult experts in obstetrics and gynecology on the vaccination of pregnant women, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Thursday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Vergeire said the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend vaccinating pregnant women in its recommendations for the emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

“Kami po ay nakikipag-usap ngayon sa society ng obstetrics and gynecology para mahingi po natin ang posisyon nila at malaman kung anong klaseng bakuna ang maaring maibigay sa mga buntis,” she said.

In its policy recommendations for the rollout of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, WHO said it did not recommend the vaccination of pregnant women

“In case a pregnant woman has an unavoidable risk high of exposure (e.g. a health worker), vaccination may be considered in discussion with their healthcare provider,” WHO said in the recommendations issued on January 8.

“If a breastfeeding woman is part of a group (e.g. health workers) recommended for vaccination, vaccination can be offered,” it added.

Despite these recommendations, WHO underscored that pregnant women are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 than non-pregnant women.

Aside from this, WHO said that COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth. -NB, GMA News