Page 49 - Covid 26 July 2021

2. COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women
Q. Why is COVID-19 vaccine being recommended for pregnant women?
A. Pregnancy does not increase the risk to COVID-19 infection. Most pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have 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 COVID-19, including taking the vaccination against the same. It is, therefore, advised that a pregnant woman should take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Q. Who are at higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19? A. Higher risk of infection involves with:
• A healthcare worker or a frontline worker
• A community with high or increasing rate of COVID-19 infections
• Those frequently exposed to people outside the household
• Those who have difficulty in complying with social distance if living in a crowded household
Q. How does COVID-19 affect the health of a pregnant woman?
A. Although most (>90 per cent) infected pregnant women recover without hospitalization, rapid deterioration in health may occur in a few. Symptomatic pregnant women appear to be at increased risk of severe disease and death. In severe disease, like all other patients, pregnant women may also need hospitalisation. Pregnant women with underlying medical conditions for example, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, age over 35 years are at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
Q. How does COVID-19 infection of pregnant women affect the baby?
A. Most (over 95 per cent) of newborns of COVID-19 positive mothers have been in good condition at birth. In some cases, COVID-19 infections in pregnancy may increase the possibility of a premature delivery, the baby’s weight may be less than 2.5 kg and in rare situations, the baby might die before birth.
Q. Which pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing complications after COVID-19 infection?
A. Pregnant women who are:
• Older than 35 years of age
• Obese
• Have an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Have a history of clotting in the limbs
Q. If a pregnant woman has already had COVID-19, when should she be vaccinated?
A. In case a woman is infected with COVID-19 during the current pregnancy, then she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery.
VOL. IV ISSUE 7
VIGYAN PRASAR 45
COVID-19 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS IN INDIA