Mumbai Covid-19 Vaccination: Over 1,000 Lactating Women Get Their Vaccine Shots; Turnout Of Pregnant Women Zero

Mumbai has immunised more than 1,000 lactating women, but so far there has been zero turnout of pregnant women at Covid-19 vaccination centres for a jab. Mumbai is the first city in India to allow vaccination for pregnant women, with a caveat that pregnant women give a consent form & get a gynaecologist certificate that they are fit for vaccination. A combination of hesitancy by gynaecologists to issue certificates, lack of awareness among pregnant women & in some cases refusal to immunise by vaccination centres has led to zero turnout so far. Mumbai has immunised 1,032 lactating women after the Centre issued a notification on May 19 to start their vaccination. Suresh Kakani, Additional Municipal Commissioner, said lactating women have to produce the birth certificate of their newborn to get a jab, reported The Indian Express. BMC decided to go a step further & also allow pregnant women if they get a gynaecologist’s certificate & consent form. Some gynaecologists have refrained from issuing certificates over fear of accountability. The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has recommended vaccination for pregnant women, stating it gives double protection to the mother & the newborn.