The group of doctors urged pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid hospitalization due to the disease and other ailments.
According to Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society President Dr. Christia Padolina, although the vaccine cannot promise that pregnant women will not get COVID-19, it will protect them from hospitalization.
It is said that the OB-GYNs of hospitals will not make it a requirement or a requirement to vaccinate pregnant women before giving birth fully.
“Ito po ay makaka-boost ng kanilang panlaban kung sila man ay dadapuan ng COVID-19 virus at ito ay importante to protect them from having the severe illness. It will also protect them from being admitted in the [intensive care unit],” said Padolina.
According to Padolina, the immune system of pregnant women is so weak that they are at risk of being infected with COVID-19.
The Department of Health (DOH) recently included in the A3 priority group of COVID-19 vaccination pregnant women in the second and third trimesters and those in the first trimester with difficult pregnancies.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has also said that it is safe for breastfeeding or lactating mothers to get vaccinated.
Pregnant women urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19
According to the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), some mothers still do not want to be vaccinated.
But they need to understand that vaccine protection is not just for them but for their babies.
“Maganda na magpabakuna ‘yong nanay na nagpapadede para ‘pag gumawa na ng antibodies ‘yong katawan nila, mapapasa nila sa baby nila sa pamamagitan ng breastmilk nila ‘yong antibodies nila against COVID,” said PPS fellow Dr. Andrew Camposano.
So far, PPS has not recommended that breastfeeding mothers be included in the A3 as well.
He also said that the group does not recommend a brand of the vaccine because any brand can provide protection.
The DOH previously said that all vaccines with emergency use authorization in the Philippines could be given to pregnant women except for Sputnik V of Gamaleya.
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