PUNE: Expectant mothers in the district will likely be offered separate Covid-19 vaccination centres when drives for them start in the next two to three days, officials said on Saturday.
“We are planning separate vaccination centres for pregnant women to avoid intermingling with crowds. The separate hubs will also improve ease of vaccination for this group,” said Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, assistant director (medical), Pune circle.
Pregnant women with Covid-19 infection are at increased risk of preterm birth and other adverse outcomes, including higher chances of neonatal morbidity. Public health experts have said that they should be offered exclusive Covid vaccination centres, to keep them away from crowds.
Pune district has nearly 800 vaccination centres. Authorities said they plan to set aside at least five civic-run sites within PMC limits and three in PCMC for pregnant women. Rural Pune may get nearly 10 centres.
“It is likely that antenatal centres will be selected to vaccinate this group. Most women come to these centres for prenatal check-ups. So the hubs are ideal for their Covid vaccination,” Deshmukh said.
Out of the 800 vaccine sites of the district, nearly 350 are in PMC areas. The PCMC has 200 and the rest are in Pune rural.
“We plan to have a higher number of centres for pregnant women in Pune rural because of the region’s more diverse population. Women visiting these centres will be told about the benefits of vaccination along with informaion on common side-effects they can expect,” Deshmukh added. Healthcare workers at the antenatal centres will also be trained to counsel pregnant women.
Officials added that protocols of registration and generation of certificates will remain the same for this group as the general population.
Dr Sanjay Patil, chairman of the Hospital Board of India, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Pune, said, “Ever since the Union government said it's okay to give pregnant women the Covid vaccines, there has been a spurt in enquiries at city gynaecologists’ from pregnant women. Many want to know more about vaccine safety and when is it okay to get the Covid jabs.”
