PPPA Minister Asks Pregnant And Breastfeeding Mothers Not To Hesitate To Participate In COVID-19 Vaccination

Pregnancy illustration. (Unsplash/Suhyeon Choi)

JAKARTA - Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, said pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not hesitate to undergo COVID-19 vaccination, because there is already a circular letter from the Ministry of Health regarding this.

"The issuance of this circular provides certainty for the implementation of protection for pregnant women from the threat of COVID-19, especially in areas with high transmission cases", said Bintang, quoting Antara, Wednesday, August 11.

Previously, the Ministry of Health stated that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for mothers who are breastfeeding. The COVID-19 Task Force advises mothers who are breastfeeding to consult a doctor or health worker to ensure they are fit for vaccination.

In addition, the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health has issued a circular regarding COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and adjustments to screening in the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination.

"The National Immunization Expert Advisory Committee (ITAGI) has recommended the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women", said Bintang.

The COVID-19 vaccination is prioritized for pregnant women who are in areas with a high risk of Coronavirus transmission. In addition, vaccination is recommended to be given to pregnant women because they are a group at risk for COVID-19, and infection with the Coronavirus can cause pregnant women to experience symptoms of severe illness and death.

According to a circular from the Ministry of Health, COVID-19 vaccines that can be used for pregnant women are mRNA platform vaccines, such as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the inactivated platform vaccine from Sinovac.

For information, screening examinations before injecting the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women must be carried out in more detail and thoroughly.

According to regulations, the COVID-19 vaccine can only be given to pregnant women who are 13 weeks pregnant. The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can be given in the second trimester of pregnancy.