The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday (Aug. 12) included pregnant women under the priority group for vaccination against COVID-19 following the recommendation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to vaccinate pregnant women after a study proved that vaccinations do not create risks of miscarriage.
In a statement, the department said it will be revising its existing guidelines to include the pregnant women in the Expanded A3 priority group.
“We will be revising our existing guidelines for pregnant women based on these recommendations and to indicate that they are now part of Expanded A3.”
The DOH explained that based on the recommendations of its experts, COVID-19 vaccines are “generally safe” for pregnant women and it is “actively recommended during the 2nd or 3rd trimester.”
“High risk pregnant women in their 1st trimester may also be vaccinated provided that benefits and risks have been fully explained and upon securing medical clearance from their doctor,” it added.
According to the department, only Gamaleya Institute’s Sputnik V vaccine can be administered to pregnant women.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
