Health Ministry recommends vaccination of pregnant and breastfeeding women

Thursday 5th August 2021 – ÁLVARO MONFORT with Mike Smith

The regional health ministry has announced that it is prioritizing the vaccination of pregnant women with the objective of reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy if they contract the COVID-19 infection. The recommendation to get vaccinated also extends to those women who are breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant.

Yesterday, the Public Health Commission of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System agreed to recommend the vaccination of pregnant women in any trimester since it would reduce the risk of difficulties for the mother as well as the baby. However, the health authorities recognize that the period of greatest risk for infection is at the end of the second trimester (26 weeks).

It is a decision that, until now, has raised doubts due to the possible effects that the vaccine could have on the unborn child. However, the increase of infections among pregnant women and the increasing admission of many of them to ICU wards have led the Ministry of Health to classify this risk as “at risk” and have encourage the autonomous regions to prioritize their vaccination. The vaccines recommended, regardless of age, are those of the mRNA type (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

According to the Valencian regional health ministry, the evidence confirms that vaccination will prevent possible complications, especially if there are higher risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, or preeclampsia. In addition, the ministry has recommended that those around the pregnant women will have completed their vaccination schedule and that the necessary protocols be maintained, such as good ventilation of enclosed spaces, avoiding crowds, keeping social distancing, and washing hands frequently, since they continue to be vital in the fight against the spread of the infection.