COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines Updated for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

According to the data currently available, pregnancy exposes pregnant women to severe forms of SARS-Cov-2 and high risks of miscarriage, preeclampsia, premature birth, intrauterine fetal death and others, the Ministry of Health indicated in a note to the Regional Directors of Health and the directors of university hospital centers. In addition, positive cases are rising in the ranks of pregnant women where vaccine coverage is very low.

Thus, the Directorate of Population has developed, in collaboration with national experts in maternal and neonatal health, as well as members of learned societies, recommendations including care and strengthening of preventive measures against the risk of Covid-19 in pregnant women and newborns. Ait Taleb thus calls for the mobilization of health teams, the acceleration of the vaccination of all pregnant women regardless of the stage of pregnancy. The inactivated vaccine will be used for pregnant women in the first trimester and the other types of Covid vaccines for those in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

"I attach great importance to your personal commitment to the implementation of the terms of this circular and its annexes, in order to strengthen the capacities of health professionals in improving the quality of care for this category of the population," explains the minister, also urging professionals to further raise awareness among women of childbearing age on the importance of the vaccine.