According to the Department of Health, COVID-19 vaccines are “generally safe” in pregnant women, and it is actively recommended in those in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
High-risk pregnancies can also be vaccinated in the first trimester if the doctor allows.
“Puwedeng bigyan ng bakuna para sa mga high-risk pregnant women during the first trimester kung mayroong shared decision, may medical clearance sa gitna ng pregnant na pasyente at saka ‘yong kanyang attending OB-GYN,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
All vaccines with emergency use authorization in the Philippines can be given to pregnant women except Sputnik V by Gamaleya.
Pregnant women will also be included in the 3rd priority group in the COVID-19 vaccination, which currently consists only of people with comorbidity.
This follows the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to vaccinate pregnant women against COVID-19.
According to new studies, vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women, and the risk of getting them does not increase.
The CDC added that when COVID-19 hits pregnant women, they are more likely to develop severe symptoms and have a pre-term birth or give birth earlier.
Pregnant women to be included in A3 priority group for COVID-19 vaccination
On August 1, pregnant Dra. Dr. Anne Mimay-Magkasi, an OB-GYN, died of COVID-19. The baby inside her womb also succumbed to the disease.
On July 28, the doctor tested positive for COVID-19 at a hospital in Pampanga. But by August 1, her offspring in her womb had passed away.
According to Dr. Donald Reluya, Magkasi was not vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine because she was pregnant.
“Ganoon talaga kasi siya sakripisyo sa pagtatrabaho niya. Masakit bilang kaibigan kasi hindi mo ine-expect. Mas bata pa siya sa akin tapos mas bata siya sa aming mga kasamahan,” said Reluya.
“Ang lakas-lakas niya tapos bigla na lang pupunta sa ospital tapos ganon kalala ‘yung nararamdaman niya,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dra. Christine Macaraeg was hospitalized for a month due to COVID-19, and her life was in danger.
“Grabe, ang bilis talaga ng pangyayari. Sobra kasing ano, torture, torture ang nangyari sa akin. Ang dami kasing nagdadasal kaya siguro naka-survive ako,” said Macaraeg, who already got out of the hospital.
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