Good news for pregnant women because the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) stated that the Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women can be carried out as of August 2, 2021. The approval to vaccinate pregnant women is expected to protect the community from Covid-19 and accelerate communal immunity.
It should be noted that pregnant women have become one of the most at-risk groups when exposed to Covid-19. In recent times, it was reported that a number of pregnant women who were confirmed positive for Covid-19 experienced severe symptoms and even died.
To protect pregnant women and their babies from Covid-19 infection, the Ministry of Health has ensured that it will immediately provide Covid-19 vaccines to pregnant women. The vaccination for pregnant women uses three types of vaccines, namely the Covid-19 vaccine on the Mrna Pfizer and Moderna platforms, as well as the Sinovac inactive virus platform vaccine, according to availability.
The policy is contained in the Circular Letter of the Ministry of Health Number HK.02.01/I/2007/2021 concerning Covid-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women and Screening Adjustments in the Implementation of Covid-19 Vaccinations. Spokesperson for the Covid-19 Vaccination of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, has confirmed the issuance of the circular letter.
In the circular letter, it was written that the Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women was taken after seeing the increase in Covid-19 cases against pregnant women in big cities in severe conditions (serve cases), especially pregnant women with certain media conditions.
Efforts to provide Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women have also been recommended by the National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee (ITAGI). The procedure for carrying out vaccinations for pregnant women is not much different from the usual vaccinations.
Before getting the vaccine, pregnant women will go through screening stages such as checking body temperature, blood pressure, and being asked about disease history. Then, the first dose of vaccination is started in the second trimester of pregnancy and the second dose is given according to the interval of the type of vaccine.
Here are the requirements for pregnant women to get vaccinated:
- Pregnant women with gestational age in the 2nd trimester (14-28 weeks) and third trimester (29 to term)
- Pregnant women who have blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg are not recommended to have the Covid-19 vaccination and will be referred to the hospital.
- Pregnant women who have symptoms such as swollen feet, headaches, heartburn and blurred vision will be reviewed to receive vaccinations and referred to the hospital.
- If you have heart disease, asthma, Diabetes Mellitus, Lung Disease, HIV, Hyperthyroidism, Chronic Kidney and Liver disease, you must be in controlled condition.
- If you have an autoimmune disease, you must be in a controlled condition and get a doctor’s approval.
- If you have a history of severe allergies, you must get special monitoring, especially after getting vaccinated to anticipate the emergence of side effects.
The government will monitor to find out if there are any side effects that arise from giving the Covid-19 vaccine to pregnant women. Anticipating the occurrence of post-AEFI immunization events, there is a contact person available at every vaccination card post who can be contacted if there are complaints from vaccination recipients or can also report them through vaccine security.kemkes.go.id. The government will also cover the COVID-19 AEFIs that require treatment and care in health facilities in accordance with medical indications and treatment protocols.
Data from the Ministry of Health shows that the number of pregnant women who were confirmed positive for Covid-19 reached 35,099 while newborns aged 0-12 months were 24,591. Budi Gunadi Sadikin as the minister of health has stated that the latest recommendation is that pregnant women with certain conditions are allowed to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, he suggested that there should be strict supervision from doctors for pregnant women who will get vaccinated. Budi said this was to anticipate the risk of post-vaccination indications appearing, so it is recommended that pregnant women be escorted by doctors before and after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Secretary General of the Central Board of the Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynecology Association (POGI) Budi Wiweko also conveyed the same thing. Budi said that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in his statement, Budi once talked about the importance of prioritizing pregnant women in handling Covid-19.
With this circular, of course, it is an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to corona virus infection in pregnant women, considering that currently pregnant women are comorbidities that must receive attention.
)* The author is a citizen living in Pekanbaru