Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
520. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding pregnant women receiving the Covid-19 vaccine; if they will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine given the risk of Covid placentitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22667/21]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.
Pregnant women are at similar risk of COVID-19 infection to non-pregnant women of the same age. The overall risk of severe illness in pregnancy is low. However, pregnant women with COVID-19 infection are more likely to develop serious disease or to die than either pregnant women without COVID-19 or similar aged non-pregnant women with COVID-19. Additionally, COVID-19 in pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth.
NIAC recommends that pregnant women should be offered mRNA COVID-19 vaccination between 14-36 weeks gestation following an individual benefit/risk discussion with their obstetric care giver.
