Medical advice: COVID-19 jab for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Pregnant healthcare workers have been advised to speak to their doctors before taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Health Department says the safety of the jab during pregnancy, hasn't been tested yet.
Minister Zweli Mkhize launched the Electronic Vaccination Data System this morning.
Healthcare workers have been asked to register via the self enrolment portal for the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot, which will be rolled out later this month.
Commenting on pregnancy, the Department's Dr Lesley Bramford says, "There is no reason that it could be dangerous but because they haven't been tested we are very cautious."
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She says the advice from the experts is that pregnant woman should make this decision in consultation with their healthcare provider.
"We are not saying absolutely that they should not be vaccinated but they do need to be cautious."
She says breastfeeding mothers can take the vaccine, "We are recommending that breastfeeding women are vaccinated so breastfeeding is not a contraindication. If a woman chooses not to be vaccinated while she is pregnant then as soon as she has delivered even while breastfeeding, she can be vaccinated and will be prioritised for vaccination."
