Doctor at state-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Dr. Mohamed Ali has stated that around 50 pregnant ladies are currently infected with COVID-19. According to the doctor, one of the pregnant patients is in critical condition and is being treated while on ventilator support.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe COVID-19, very little data are available to assess vaccine safety in pregnancy. Pregnant women may receive the vaccine if the benefit of vaccinating a pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks. For this reason, pregnant women at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 or who have comorbidities which add to their risk of severe disease may be vaccinated in consultation with their health care provider.
The Maldives received 5,850 doses of the Pfizer vaccine under the COVAX program. Out of these, over 4,000 vaccines are still available. The government was previously in discussion regarding administering the Pfizer vaccine to pregnant women. Speaking regarding the discussions, Dr. Faisal, also employed at IGMH said preparations are underway to administer the vaccine to pregnant women. However, Spokesperson at the President's Office, Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said no decisions have been made on the matter thus far.
While the Pfizer vaccine can be administered to children above the age of 16, HEOC last month said children between ages 16 to 18 who have other underlying issues can receive the vaccine.
