Adding to the existing controversies surrounding the new H1N1 vaccine, state health officials on Sunday claimed that they were still unsure whether the vaccine was safe for pregnant women. Incidentally, pregnant women are most vulnerable to the H1N1 virus.
According to senior government health officials, the brochure of the vaccine does not mention if the vaccine has any side-effects for pregnant women.
Dr A.C. Mishra, head of the National Institute of Virology in Pune told this newspaper that the matter was being discussed at the union level, and it is likely that we will take a decision within a week’s time.
Further, a section of doctors pointed out that, as a worldwide guideline, any product should clearly specify about its side-effects or ill-effects on pregnant women. However, the H1N1 vaccine, which India has bought, does not mention anything of the sort, forcing the doctors to wonder whether it should be prescribed to pregnant women.
“Since the company has not mentioned anything about pregnant women on its brochure, we are unsure whether the company has made any study on pregnant women. Once the company confirms that it has carried out a relevant study, we will use the product,” said Dr G.T. Ambe, executive health officer of the BMC.
Meanwhile, Dr Sanjay Gupte, president of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India said, “Initially, doctors were worried about prescribing Tamiflu to pregnant women. However, Tamiflu is any day safer than the new H1N1 vaccine.”