The Star reached out to several hospitals across the GTA, and it appears that this guidance is being applied inconsistently, resulting in a patchwork of policies depending on where health-care workers go for vaccines. Unity Health Toronto and University Health Network spokespeople said they are following provincial guidance, while Michael Garron Hospital and Scarborough Health Network are giving pregnant staff the choice. But “at present, the consent and registration form and the medical directive from our Medical Advisory Committee follows the ministry advice and does exclude pregnant women,” she added. A spokesperson for Unity Health Toronto, which includes Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital, said in an email they are following COVID-19 vaccination guidelines from Ontario’s Ministry of Health. It says the underrepresentation of pregnant women in the development of COVID-19 vaccines “should not automatically exclude pregnant women from being vaccinated when vaccines become available.”Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada CEO Dr. Jennifer Blake acknowledged the lack of data on the vaccine for pregnant women and their babies.

Source: thestar January 01, 2021 16:17 UTC