Belmopan, Mon. Sept. 6, 2021– Effective Monday, September 6, pregnant women in Belize will be eligible to receive Pfizer vaccines, with the two doses of the vaccine to be administered 21 days apart.

According to guidelines laid out by the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 vaccine should be given to pregnant women when the benefits of the vaccination outweigh the potential risks associated with vaccinations. To ensure even further guidance and assessment prior to a decision to take the vaccine, pregnant women are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider before taking the vaccine. (In general, evidence suggests that the benefits of receiving the Pfizer vaccine have outweighed any known risks associated with vaccinations during pregnancy.)

A release from the Government of Belize Press Office states, “The Ministry of Health & Wellness urges pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as vaccinated persons are less likely to get infected, develop severe symptoms, or be hospitalized due to COVID-19.” Additionally, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that data on vaccination of pregnant women has so far been promising. There has been no evidence of fertility problems following a COVID-19 vaccine; however, evidence suggests that pregnant and recently pregnant persons are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19.

The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is thus far the only vaccine approved by the United States-based regulating agency, the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.), for pregnant women and is also the only vaccine authorized to be used for the 12-17 age range.

Pfizer vaccines can be received at select locations, including designated schools countrywide.