Health Ministry allows COVID19 vaccination for pregnant women, CoWIN registration, walk-in allowed

The ministry said the decision has been communicated to all states and UTs.

It further said a pregnant woman who opts for vaccination can be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines available in the country any time during her pregnancy at the nearest government or private COVID-19 vaccination center (CVC) after registration on CoWIN or by walk-in registration at the nearest CVC.

The procedures and modalities of COVID-19 vaccination like registration and generation of certificates after vaccination will remain the same as it is for any beneficiaries above 18 years of age under the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, it added.

The decision comes after the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recommended vaccination for pregnant women. The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), too, has unanimously recommended it. Further, a national-level consultation on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women was also convened by the Union ministry of health and family welfare to build consensus on COVID vaccination of pregnant women. The consultation unanimously welcomed the recommendation of NTAGI to vaccinate pregnant women, the ministry said.

The ministry said it has accepted these recommendations and prepared an operational guideline for vaccination of pregnant women, counselling kit for medical officers and FLWs, and IEC material for the general public to equip the states and UTs to carry out the vaccination of pregnant women.

It added, "India's national COVID-19 vaccination programme incorporates recommendations of the foremost experts in the field of immunization, public health, disease control and information technology. Based on scientific and epidemiological evidence, the programme gives priority to strengthening the country's healthcare system by protecting the professionals, health and frontline workers, manning it, as well as protecting the most vulnerable population groups. Till date, all groups except pregnant women were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Now, it is expanded to even pregnant women in the world's largest immunization drive."