‘Vaccinate pregnant women against COVID-19’: new ATAGI advice
Pregnancy puts women at higher risk of complications, and there’s no evidence the Pfizer vaccine is risky for them or the fetus, authorities say
All pregnant women should be routinely offered COVID-19 vaccination at any stage of pregnancy, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended.
The updated advice, released on Wednesday in a joint statement with RANZCOG, cites international data showing pregnant women are at increased risk of complications from COVID-19 compared with the general population.
“These include reduced lung function, increased oxygen consumption and changed immunity,” the statement says.
“In particular, pregnant women with comorbidities are at higher risk of hospital admission, ventilation and severe illness.”
