Pregnant women above 18 who are in 2nd, 3rd trimester eligible: Health DG

The Health Ministry today advised all Provincial Health Directors to vaccinate all pregnant women against COVID-19 who are above the age of 18 in their second and third trimesters.

While issuing a statement today, Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardana said those pregnant women are eligible to get the vaccine irrespective of any risk status in their pregnancies. 

He said the decision was taken as the Ministry was in the receipt of adequate stocks of vaccines and the adaption of a general population coverage approach in the vaccination drive. 

The Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases has recommended vaccination of pregnant women with informed consent, the Health Services DG added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)