Only Sinopharm vaccine will be given to pregnant women, according to the Ministry of Health.

According to Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath, the Health Ministry's Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases has recommended that pregnant women only be vaccinated with the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.

He explained that because there isn't enough information on alternative vaccines, the Committee has advised that only the Sinopharm vaccinations be provided to expectant mothers.

Despite the fact that the Army Commander stated that pregnant women would be given priority while receiving Sinopharm vaccination in relevant locations, Dr. Herath stated that there are certain practical challenges with administering vaccine to pregnant women.

"The Family Health Bureau is sorting them out right now." There are some checks and balances that should be included in the circular that will be issued soon," he said.

"The Family Health Bureau is still establishing standards since it is a very involved process," Dr. Herath explained.

He emphasized that vaccination of pregnant moms had not yet begun, and that it would take time to finalize the appropriate criteria before immunization could begin. Furthermore, he stated that he had received multiple allegations that some pregnant women had obtained immunizations without official authorisation from the Ministry of Health.

The importance of immunizing pregnant mothers has been highlighted because they fall into one of the high-risk categories. In light of this, Army Commander Shavendra Silva declared today that, beginning June 8, pregnant women and individuals over 60 years of age will be given precedence while receiving Sinopharm vaccines in the locations already specified. (Sheain Fernandopulle)