Pregnant women should get vaccinated because the bigger their bellies, the more their lung capacity is reduced, says World Health Organization immunisation director Kate O’Brien.
Speaking during an online WHO question and answer session on COVID-19 vaccines, she said vaccines did not pose any increased risk during pregnancy.
“Over the course of the pandemic we’ve learned more and more about whether or not being pregnant is something that puts you at risk of having more severe disease,” Ms O’Brien said.
“And the answer is yes, it does put you at greater risk and that’s probably more true later in pregnancy when you’ve got a big belly and your lung capacity is reduced, just because of the volume that you’re carrying around, that baby that you’re carrying around.
“So that’s the reason why we’re particularly interested in vaccination in pregnancy.”
Ms O’Brien said it was important breastfeeding women understood the importance of getting vaccinated.
“There is no reason why breastfeeding women can not be vaccinated, nothing bad is going to happen in terms of the baby or in terms of your own health.”
