COPENHAGEN, July 21 (Xinhua) -- After reviewing recent data and experiences from other countries, Danish Health Authority (SST) recommended in a press release Wednesday vaccination against COVID-19 for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
"A number of countries have gradually gained extensive experience in vaccinating pregnant and breastfeeding women with the mRNA vaccines from BioNtech-Pfizer and Moderna... Data from these countries show consistently that the vaccines are very effective and safe for both the pregnant and the unborn child as well as for breastfeeding," said the press release.
According to SST director Soren Brostrom, the Danish Health Authority has decided to expand the general vaccination program with the COVID-19 vaccines it recommends (BioNtech-Pfizer and Moderna) to include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding in the future.
The SST director also emphasized in the press release that vaccination of up to 100,000 women who are pregnant or breastfeeding would also contribute to a stronger population immunity in Denmark.
According to the SST guideline, a pregnant woman, based on a precautionary principle, could be vaccinated in the 2nd or 3rd trimester as well as being vaccinated in the 1st trimester by appointment with a doctor.
For those who are planning to become pregnant, or are undergoing fertility treatment, SST recommends them to accept the offer of vaccination right away.
The Statens Serum Institut (SSI) on Wednesday registered 851 new COVID-19 infections across the country in the past 24 hours. To date, a total of 308,615 coronavirus cases and 2,542 deaths have been recorded in the country since the beginning of the pandemic.
In addition, the SSI reported that currently 68.2 percent of the population, or 3,988,487 people, have started their vaccination process, of which 2,765,840, or 47.3 percent of the population, are fully vaccinated. Enditem
