Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 12) — The Department of Health has included pregnant women in its list of priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination.
Pregnant women now join persons with comorbidities in the A3 priority group, the DOH said.
The DOH noted the inclusion was based on the recommendations of its experts who said that most COVID-19 shots, except for Gamaleya’s Sputnik V, are “generally safe” for pregnant women.
“We will be revising our existing guidelines for pregnant women based on these recommendations and to indicate that they are now part of Expanded A3,” the DOH said in a statement.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is recommended “during the second or third trimester,” the department said.
Women with high-risk pregnancies in the first trimester may also be inoculated, but they must first understand the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccination, as well as secure medical clearance from their doctors, it added.
