The Union Health Ministry on Friday approved vaccination of pregnant women against COVID-19. The decision was based on recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), the ministry stated.

"Pregnant woman, who opts for vaccination, can be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines available in the country any time during their pregnancy at the nearest Government or Private COVID-19 Vaccination Center (CVC) after registration on CoWIN or by walk-in registration at the nearest CVC. The procedures and modalities of COVID-19 vaccination like registration, generation of certificates after vaccination etc. will remain the same as it is for any beneficiaries above 18 years of age under the National COVID Vaccination Program," the ministry said in a statement.

A national-level Consultation on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women was convened by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry to build consensus on COVID Vaccination of pregnant women.

"The NTAGI has recommended vaccination for pregnant women. The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) too has unanimously recommended it... The ministry has accepted these recommendations and prepared an Operational Guideline for vaccination of pregnant women, Counselling kit for Medical Officers and FLWs, and IEC material for the general public to equip the states/ UTs to carry out the vaccination of pregnant women," it stated.

Under India’s National COVID Vaccination programme, all groups except pregnant women were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

The procedures and modalities of COVID-19 vaccination like registration, generation of certificates after vaccination etc. will remain the same as it is for any beneficiaries above 18 years of age under the National COVID Vaccination Programme, the ministry added.