Pregnant or planning on trying for a baby?
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has now recommended that people who are pregnant are to be offered Covid-19 mRNA vaccinations at any stage of their pregnancy.
The Chief Medical Officer has now endorsed this recommendation, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced.
Earlier this, year, the NIAC had recommended that pregnant women be offered mRNA COVID-19 vaccination between 14-36 weeks’ gestation. Now, this recommendation has been amended based on the growing body of evidence on the safety and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccination, a statement from the Department of Health said.
“The evidence clearly indicates that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any known or potential risks of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy.”
Minister Donnelly said he is “aware that many pregnant people and their partners will have questions about this update to the vaccination programme”.
“I encourage anyone who has any concerns to engage with their obstetric care team and the many trusted sources of information available in order to make the best decision for you and your baby,” he said.
Booster shot for anyone who is immunocompromised
As part of NIAC’supdated advice, experts will now recommend mRNA booster shots for anyone who is immunocompromised.
“Since the very beginning of this pandemic, we have worked to protect those most at high risk from severe illness and death from Covid-19,” Donnelly explained.
“I hope that the opportunity to receive a third or booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine dose brings comfort and reassurance to people that these vaccines are very safe and effective and offer protection from Covid-19,” he said.
The Health Minister said he will now work with his Department, the HSE and the High-Level Task Force to implement these recommendations as soon as possible.
“As we move into this new stage of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that all of those eligible for vaccination but who remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, should initiate/complete their vaccination course,” the Minister said.
“Vaccination along with our continued adherence to the public health advice we are all so familiar with are the best ways we can protect ourselves, our loves ones and our country’s re-opening.”
