Pregnant Women Can Safely Receive A COVID-19 Vaccine, Says CMO Dr. Laws

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 12, 2021 (SKNIS): Health authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis are recommending that pregnant women who are able to get vaccinated to protect against the deadly COVID-19 virus should safely do so. The decision is in line with recommendations from the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At Wednesday’s (August 11, 2021) briefing by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, said that expecting mothers must first present a note from their doctor before receiving a jab.

“If you consent, and request a letter from your Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, once you submit this letter to the nurse at any health centre, we will administer the vaccine,” Dr. Laws stated.

The Chief Medical Officer noted that the decision was made given the increased risk of pregnant women getting severely ill from COVID-19 and experiencing adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth.

The information posted on www.cdc.gov notes that “evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.”

It continues that “there is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.”