PUNE: City gynaecologists and representatives from the Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) told TOI on Tuesday that vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women was now on the decline, with several being vaccinated with at least one dose.
Obstetricians in the city have launched initiatives to address vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women and have been counselling them to get the jab. “About 80% of my patients have taken both doses. We are increasingly seeing vaccine hesitancy diminishing among pregnant women, as we have been telling them about the serious implications of contracting Covid during pregnancy,” Sunita Tandulwadkar, president of Pune Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society , said.
Tandulwadkar, who is also chief IVF consultant and endoscopist at Ruby Hall Clinic, said most of her patients seeking in vitro fertilization too were vaccinated. “Obstetricians and gynaecologists at city, state and national levels are working hard to promote vaccination among pregnant women through webinars, live programmes and awareness campaigns,” she said.
FOGSI vice-president Bipin Pandit said vaccine hesitancy had crept in among pregnant women due to erroneous messages on social media and other platforms. Pandit said 100% of his patients were vaccinated.
Senior gynaecologist Sanjay Gupte, owner and medical director of Gupte hospital, said obstetricians play a major role in ensuring their patients were jabbed. “Patients always ask us before opting for vaccination and thus, doctors have a big role to play..”
