Vaccination drive for pregnant women picks up pace in Tamil Nadu

Vaccination of pregnant women in opposition to COVID-19 is slowly selecting up pace throughout Tamil Nadu.

Last week, the Union Health Ministry introduced that pregnant women had been eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines. Following this, the Health Department began rolling out the vaccination programme for pregnant women throughout the State.

A well being official stated acceptance of vaccination amongst pregnant women was good, they usually had been launching the programme in many districts. “Awareness as well as interpersonal communication with pregnant women is important. It is important to vaccinate them. We ensure that there is informed consent, and they are monitored closely after vaccination,” he stated.

At the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Government Hospital for Women and Children in Egmore, almost 250 pregnant women bought the jab in the previous three days, in line with Director S. Vijaya.

“Many were initially hesitant to get vaccinated. So, we started to counsel them at the outpatient department, when they came for antenatal check-ups. We checked their vital parameters, including blood pressure. If they had not taken food, we ask them to eat and return. Post-vaccination, we observe them for half an hour. However, they stay longer on campus as they undergo other screenings,” she stated.

She added that women pregnant with twins and triplets additionally bought vaccinated. “We tell the women that vaccination will protect them from severe COVID-19,” she stated.

Every day, round 10 to fifteen pregnant women had been being vaccinated on the Institute of Social Obstetrics and the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children. “Now, there is awareness about vaccination among women. Counselling is also being provided. There were many maternal deaths due to COVID-19. Vaccination will offer them protection,” K. Kalaivani, Director of ISO and KGH, stated.

“There have been a lot of inquiries in the last month. But the Government of India had not endorsed it then. With the direction coming in last week, we started to ready the logistics and launched the vaccination,” Jaishree Gajaraj, senior marketing consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MGM Healthcare, stated.

Vaccination, she identified, was extraordinarily necessary for pregnant women. “In the second wave, we saw a lot of complications in pregnant women and lots of deaths due to COVID-19. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 still experienced symptoms such as breathlessness and generalised weakness,” she added.

One of the primary issues amongst pregnant women was if the vaccine would have an effect on the child.

“We have limited information. However, available evidence from other countries shows there has been no major impact on babies. The disease is much more fatal for pregnant women, and so vaccination is crucial,” Dr. Gajaraj stated.