Pregnant women in Mumbai shun vaccine, doctors worried

Doctors say they are spending a lot of time counselling expectant mothers to take the shot. Representation pic

Amid the threat of the third Coronavirus wave, vaccine hesitancy among Mumbai's pregnant women, who are at high risk of contracting severe disease, has become cause for concern. The central government had approved vaccination for pregnant women in July this year, but in the past two months, only 1,021 expectant mothers have taken at least their first dose. According to a city gynaecologist mid-day spoke to, 50 per cent of women are deciding against inoculation despite being counselled.

City gynaecologists said they have been getting an increasing number of calls from pregnant women who are hesitant to take the vaccine against the novel Coronavirus. Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, immediate past president of Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (MOGS), said, "There is a significant percentage of vaccine hesitancy that we are seeing among pregnant women. They read studies and have queries on the possible side effects of Covid-19 vaccines. We have to counsel them on the importance of taking one."

Doctors assure vaccines cause no harm to the baby. Representation pic

Dr Pai, who is a consultant gynaecologist at Lilavati Hospital, said 50 per cent of the pregnant women, post counselling, refuse to get vaccinated. "They say that instead of taking vaccines, they'll take utmost care of themselves to ensure they don't contract the Coronavirus. They are ready to isolate themselves, but won't take the vaccine. We, as gynaecologists, have doubled up as a counsellor trying to persuade them," she said.

937 have taken first dose

According to the data of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), about 1,021 pregnant women in the city have been vaccinated so far. Among them, 84 women have taken both the doses, and 937 their first shot. On an average, 8-10 pregnant women in the city take the first dose daily.

Dr Sudeshna Ray, obstetrics and gynaecologist, Jaslok Hospital

"I get at least five calls daily enquiring whether Covid-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy or while trying to conceive. These vaccines are safe in pregnancy. Moreover, only vaccination can prevent the mother from being seriously ill if she gets Covid-19," said Dr Sudeshna Ray, obstetrics and gynaecologist, Jaslok Hospital. Despite counselling and assurance of safety, many are still not willing to get inoculated.

‘Vaccines are safe'

Dr Gandhali Deorukhar, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at Wockhardt Hospital on Mumbai Central, said the pregnant women's main concern is that the vaccine will harm the foetus. "When one takes the vaccine, there are normal side effects, like fever, headache and pain in the arm. These occur irrespective of the recipient being pregnant or not. The vaccines won't harm the baby," said Dr Deorukhari.

Apart from pregnant women, gynaecologists said women who are planning to get married or have babies are another segment of women who are hesitating to take vaccines. "There are quite a few women who are scared of fertility. We have been spending more time in counselling and motivating them to take the vaccine," said Dr Pai.

84
No. of pregnant women fully vaccinated in city so far