Vaccination against Covid for pregnant Women started in mid-July, but it is still to pick up in the state.
Only around 40,700 women have taken the shot so far in Maharashtra, shows data. Considering the state has an estimated 20 lakh women in this category, it means barely 2% have taken the jab. In Mumbai, Home to about 1.5 lakh pregnant women, only 1,278 have taken it. Nationally, over 6 lakh had taken it till September 7.
Doctors believe fear, misconception and lack of local data on pregnancy outcomes for the mother and the child may be keeping women away.
The low rate of vaccination despite mounting evidence that pregnant women face a higher risk of severe Covid has the medical calling for more awareness and confidence-building campaigns.