COVID May Cause Pre-Term Delivery, Pregnant Women Must Take Vaccine: Govt

New Delhi: There is the risk of pre-term delivery if a pregnant woman gets infected by COVID-19, which can affect both the mother and baby, a senior government official said on Friday, adding that the vaccine can prevent such complications.

“The impact of COVID-19 in pregnant women is not different from that of others. But for pregnant women, COVID becomes a serious disease as the physiology of pregnant women at that point of time is different,” explained Niti Aayog member (health) DR VK Paul.

“There might be or might not be some other pregnancy-related complications. It is the question of two lives. But not only because of that, but there are also risks of pre-term delivery if a pregnant woman gets infected by COVID. Then it affects both the mother and the premature baby. So the vaccine can prevent such complications,” Dr Paul said, adding that pregnant women must take the vaccine without any hesitation as all scientific studies have backed it.

The Union Health & Family Welfare ministry recently issued a guideline for the vaccination of pregnant women in India, stating all three vaccines available in India — Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik — are safe for them.

Also Read: COVID Vaccination Of Pregnant Women In Odisha After July 15