Table 3 Comparison of policy positions for all adults versus pregnant people as of March 2022 for countries with a restrictive policy position in pregnancy
From: Gender equity and COVID-19 vaccine policies for pregnant people: a global analysis
Country | Policy for all adults | Policy for pregnant people | GGGI score | Income Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | All people above the age of 18 were permitted to receive the vaccine, from April 12, 2021. Pregnant women were explicitly excluded in MoPH announcement [45] | Not recommended | 0.444 | Low income |
China | All people above the age of 18 were permitted to receive the vaccine from late March 2021. Pregnant women were still considered "contraindicated" at this date, from China CDC documents [46] | Not recommended | 0.682 | Upper middle income |
Côte d'Ivoire | As of March 29, 2021, Cote d'Ivoire opened up their vaccination campaigns to any adult over the age of 18 [47] | Not recommended with exceptions | 0.637 | Lower middle income |
Jordan | Jordan invited all residents of Jordan over the age of 18 to be vaccinated for COVID-19 when they initiated their vaccine campaign in January 2021[48]. Pregnant women were explicitly excluded from vaccination [49] | Not recommended | 0.638 | Upper middle income |
Sierra Leone | In Sierra Leone's COVID-19 Strategic Plan, originally published June 2021 and updated September 2022, they list that Phase 3 prioritization for vaccination includes 'those aged 18–59, without comorbidities, not including pregnant women' [50] | Not recommended | 0.655 | Low income |
Syria | As of early September 2021, Syria was conducting a vaccination campaign targeting all citizens over the age of 18. Pregnancy and lactation were explicitly called out as 'conditions that prevent vaccination' [51] | Not recommended | 0.568 | Low income |
Timor-Leste | While it's not clear when Timor-Leste started vaccinating all adults over the age of 18, there is evidence that by August 2021, over half the population over 18 had received at least one dose, indicating all adults were eligible to receive the vaccine before August 2021 [52] | Not recommended | 0.72 | Lower middle income |
United Arab Emirates | As of March 22, 2021, the UAE was administering vaccines to adults 18Â years of age and older. Pregnant women continued to be excluded/exempted from vaccination in available policies [53] | Not recommended | 0.716 | High income |