TheCable

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has recommended that pregnant and lactating women should receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Faisal Shuaib, executive director of NPHCDA, spoke on Thursday during an interview with NAN.

Shuaib said pregnancy testing is not a requirement for receiving any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The executive director said a conversation with a clinician may be helpful before a pregnant woman takes the COVID-19 vaccine but it is not a requirement for vaccination.

He asked obstetricians and gynecologists to lead by example by getting vaccinated and also encourage eligible patients to be vaccinated as well.

”All available COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy among their respective clinical trial end points,” he said.

”Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have symptomatic infection or transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others.

“We recommend that pregnant individuals and lactating individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“While a conversation with a clinician may be helpful, it is not a requirement prior to vaccination, as this may cause unnecessary barriers to access.

“Pregnancy testing is not a requirement to receive any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines by the World Health Organization(WHO).”

Speaking further, Shuaib said COVID-19 vaccine can be “routinely administered” during pregnancy within 14 days of receipt of other vaccines.

“This includes vaccines routinely administered during pregnancy, such as influenza and Tdap,” he said.

He assured Nigerians that vaccines certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) are effective against COVID-19, including the Delta variant.

He reiterated that the federal government does not approve mixing different brands of COVID-19 vaccine, stressing that the same vaccine must be taken for both first and second doses.

”Let me assure all Nigerians that all vaccines certified by NAFDAC are highly effective against COVID-19 virus, including the Delta variant,” he added.

”And also, to reiterate the fact that the Federal Government does not approve mixing of different brands of COVID-19 vaccine. The same vaccine must be taken for both first and second doses.”