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MANILA, Philippines — Pregnant women are now part of the expanded A3 priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.
In a statement, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that based on the recommendation of local experts, COVID-19 vaccines are “generally safe” for pregnant women and that getting vaccinated against coronavirus is recommended during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
Vergeire added that “high-risk” pregnant women in their first trimester may also be vaccinated provided that benefits and risks were fully explained to them and upon securing medical clearance from their doctor.
“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,” she said.
Vergeire noted that most of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the country are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The only vaccine that should not be given to pregnant women is the Russian-made Sputnik V.
The announcement from DOH comes after the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that pregnant women should be vaccinated against COVID-19, based on a new analysis that did not show an increased risk for miscarriage.