Hong Kong health director, experts underscore Covid-19 vaccine advice for pregnant women as miscarriages investigated
- While no link has been established between BioNTech and the two incidents, Dr Constance Chan stresses pregnant women should consult a doctor before using the German-produced jab and avoid Sinovac entirely
- Restrictions for each vaccine are clearly spelled out for residents, she tells lawmakers at Legco; experts, meanwhile, warn against jumping to conclusions
No direct link has been established between the vaccines and the miscarriages, which are being investigated by local health authorities. Both involved 32-year-old women who had received BioNTech shots. One was about 23 to 24 weeks pregnant while the other had confirmed her pregnancy on March 25.
On Thursday, Director of Health Dr Constance Chan Hon-yee said pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking the BioNTech shots, while they should avoid the Sinovac vaccine entirely, as there was not enough data on its usage during pregnancy.
“Each vaccine [maker] has clearly stated the restrictions of use. When making an appointment online, individuals will be informed about those restrictions,” Chan said at a Legislative Council panel, where lawmakers raised concerns about the recent incidents.
“When people arrive at the vaccination centres, medical staff will also provide information,” she said. “The use of the BioNTech vaccine does not exclude pregnant women, so they should consult their doctor and make the decision on a case-by-case basis.”
William Chui Chun-ming, president of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, told a radio show that the public should not jump to conclusions before investigations were completed.
“In the clinical trials of the BioNTech vaccine, some pregnant women were included in the sample, but not a lot. So, the basis of granting emergency approval for the vaccine was because its benefits outweighed the risks,” Chui said.