Amid the threat of the third Coronavirus wave, vaccine hesitancy among Mumbai’s pregnant women, who are at high risk of contracting severe disease, has become cause for concern. The central government had approved vaccination for pregnant women in July this year, but in the past two months, only 1,021 expectant mothers have taken at least their first dose. According to a city gynaecologist mid-day spoke to, 50 per cent of women are deciding against inoculation despite being counselled.

City gynaecologists said they have been getting an increasing number of calls from pregnant women who are hesitant to take the vaccine against the novel Coronavirus. Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, immediate past president of Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (MOGS), said, “There is a significant percentage of vaccine hesitancy that we are seeing among pregnant women. They read studies and have queries on the possible side effects of Covid-19 vaccines. We have to counsel them on the importance of taking one.”