Breastfeeding mothers can receive COVID vaccine: Epidemiology Chief

It is appropriate for breastfeeding mothers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

He told media that vaccination would not be a reason to change breastfeeding. However, he said it is yet to be decided whether vaccine could be given to pregnant mothers.

"The attention has been drawn to see the possibilities of vaccinating the pregnant mothers. The Health Ministry is currently monitoring the situation," he underlined.

“The researches are being carried out worldwide in order to determine whether pregnant mothers could be administered with COVID-19 vaccines,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Pradeep de Silva, the President of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists urges the authorities to take prompt measures in order to administer COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant mothers.

“This would help reduce the number of infections and deaths among pregnant mothers, Dr. de Silva added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)