There’s good news for many pregnant girls who have been expectantly waiting for the COVID vaccine. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has given us the green signal for vaccinating this vulnerable section of women.
Which group of pregnant girls need the vaccine?
All pregnant girls should get the vaccine
AND
- A special mention for girls who are:
- Healthline workers
- Obese
- Suffering from comorbid conditions
- Hypertensive
- Diabetic
More likely to get an infection due to living in areas that have a high load of cases
Older than 35 years of age
Have a history of clotting in the limbs
Exposed to people outside the household
Living in crowded areas and unable to practice social distancing
This set of pregnant girls definitely need the vaccine as they are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease and developing complications of COVID infection.
Also remember that girls who have had COVID in this pregnancy, still need the vaccination though it can be stalled after delivery.
Which vaccine is better?
Covishield or Covaxin-whichever is available
How to go about it?
Both, registration on the Co Win App or on-site registration is required.0.5 ml of the vaccine is given intramuscularly in the upper arm. After receiving the vaccine it is mandatory to stay at the vaccination site for half an hour so that doctors can monitor side effects if any.
Side Effects
- These are generally minor and last for 1-3 days
- Pain at the vaccination site
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- A feeling of being unwell
Major side effects to watch for:
Within 20 days of vaccination the vaccinated girls must watch out for:
- Severe headache with or without vomiting
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Blurring of vision
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain
- Small pinpoint haemorrhages
- Weakness or paralysis on either side of the body
- Pain, swelling and tenderness of the calf
These are red flag signs for which expectant mothers or their families must inform the healthcare workers immediately; the good news is that these side effects are extremely rare.
The long term effects and safety of the vaccine on the foetus and child have yet not been established.
Myths that need to be busted
- One gets the disease after vaccination
- One turns positive after the jab
- The DNA gets altered
- After getting the disease pregnant girls don’t need to be vaccinated
Let’s bust all these myths and join hands to bust this disease together. Prevention, as we all know, is better than cure. And what is more important than protecting ourselves while we carry our precious bundles of joy? Stay safe, stay positive, stay informed!
