J&J jab ‘okayed’ for pregnant and breastfeeding women

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved the COVID jab for pregnant and breastfeeding women, who are at high risk of contracting the virus.

Those categories were initially excluded, but SAHPRA says pregnant women have a higher risk of severe symptoms of COVID and its warned that there is still uncertainty around the effects the vaccine may have on women who are breastfeeding.

Professor Helen Rees, the board chairperson of Sahpra says pregnancy itself is a risk factor when it comes to COVID-19, but she gave the assurance that there are benefits of getting the jab.