St. Kyriakidou: Pregnant women should be vaccinated to protect their babies and themselves

The Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakidou, appealed for the vaccination of pregnant women, emphasizing that in this way both their babies and themselves will be protected.

Speaking to a limited number of correspondents in Brussels, including APE-MPE, Ms. Kyriakidou noted that “vaccines are effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. The message we must convey to future mothers is very important. mothers, that vaccines protect mothers and their babies “. At the same time, with regard to compulsory vaccination, the European Commissioner pointed out that such a debate makes sense, but it is not Brussels that will tell the Member States to compel vaccination. “Member States are in the best position to decide what is best for them based on their situation.” In addition, he said that the discussion about a possible fourth dose of the vaccine continues, while emphasizing the importance of the boosting dose.

“We are seeing a situation now with a very high transmissibility of the Omicron mutation, and this is serious for our health systems. The Omicron may mean a mild or severe infection for the individual, but in no case should it be considered a mild variant. “It remains a dangerous virus,” said Stella Kyriakidou.

He also referred to the fact that there is an increase in hospitalizations for example in the United States as well as in countries in Europe with an increasing number of younger patients and especially children being treated.

“We know vaccines continue to offer good levels of protection against serious illness and hospitalization. Vaccination and booster doses continue to be the key message,” he said.

Regarding the development of the pandemic, the Health Commissioner said that she will not make predictions about whether this is the last wave.

“What we do know is that vaccines have failed. They protect and save lives. We know that vaccination does not completely prevent infection and transmission, but overall reduces the chances of infection and further transmission,” she said. COVID “is unlikely to disappear on its own”.

Stella Kyriakidou said that about 70% of the population is fully vaccinated, about 40% have received a booster dose, while after the approval of vaccines for children, 23% of children under 18 years of age are partially vaccinated.

“Millions of Europeans are still unvaccinated and this is a year after we have safe and effective vaccines available. And of course, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Member States that will suffer the most are those with lower vaccination rates,” said Kyriakidou. .

Finally, he noted that on Friday the French Presidency convened an informal council to discuss vaccination strategies and the possible need for additional booster doses.

SOURCE: AMPE