Health experts urge pregnant, breastfeeding women to get vaccinated

The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) has recommended vaccination for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. 

NITAG Member Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, also a former DGHS director, on Monday said: “We had a meeting on Saturday when we agreed on this decision. We urge women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or nursing to get vaccinated.”

Additionally, he told Bangla Tribune that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Obstructical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh Hospital (OGSB) were also in favor of the proposal. 

He added that the NITAG only encourages this, “but the decision rests with the government.”

Meanwhile, the High Court hopes to make a decision within 72 hours on priority vaccination for pregnant women. AM Amin Uddin, attorney general, took action in this regard on Monday. 

Also Read - Covid-19: High Court wants decision within 72hrs on inoculating pregnant women

A virtual High Court bench headed by Justice Inayatur Rahim passed the order verbally after hearing a writ petition.

In an interview with Bangla Tribune on Sunday, DGHS Director General Prof Dr Abul Basar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that they were awaiting the NITAG's decision on the vaccination of pregnant women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also said that pregnant women must get vaccinated, if there are no complications, as it will protect them and the babies. However, if someone faces any problems during pregnancy, they should consult with their doctor first. 

Prof Dr Samina Chowdhury from the OGSB has stated that pregnant women from all over the world, including the UK and the US, are getting vaccinated. The World Health Organization (WHO) has given separate directives on the matter for different countries.

“Covid-19 causes low oxygen saturations in pregnant women, which causes the mothers and unborn infants to die. Hence, vaccination is the only reliable means of protection,” she added.