THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has recommended the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination of all pregnant women in their first trimester as well as lactating mothers.

“The PRC is encouraging all pregnant mothers, including those who are planning to get pregnant and those who just gave birth and currently breastfeeding, to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19,” said PRC Clinical Services Coordinator Dr. Noel Bernardo.

“Here in the PRC, the most important is significantly increasing the number of the people we vaccinate no matter what, our end goal is to open up the world and bring lives and livelihoods to normality,” said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the benefits of the vaccine may be greatest for pregnant women at highest risk from COVID-19, such as frontline health workers, people living in areas of high transmission, and those with health conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes that add to their risk of severe disease.

The WHO and the Department of Health (DOH) have recommended that those who are pregnant get either of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available.

While it is not required, talking to their doctors about the vaccine is helpful for it allows pregnant women to ask questions or express concerns they may have. It also allows their doctors to make sure that they do not have any risk factors that could make the vaccine a less safe option.

As of today, the DOH approves the following COVID-19 vaccines for mothers: Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and J and J.

To register for COVID-19 vaccination, they may call 1158.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Arlene Rivera