Pregnant women will now be offered a Covid-19 vaccine.
Government has confirmed the move following the latest advice from the UK Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Until now, vaccination during pregnancy has been offered to women at high risk of coronavirus infection, or those with clinical conditions which put them at high risk of serious complications.
Pregnant women are being advised to discuss the jab with their community midwife or contact the maternity unit on 650 030 if they have any questions.
Officials add there have been no safety concerns relating to pregnancy associated with any of the Covid-19 vaccines currently authorised for use.
Health and Social Care Minister, David Ashford MHK, says: "The JCVI recognised from the start that the potential benefits of vaccination were particularly important for some pregnant women.
"There is now extensive real-world experience of the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in the USA on pregnant women without any safety concerns being raised.
"We have carefully considered the new advice and are taking steps to extend our programme in line with the UK’s so that a vaccine is offered to pregnant women at the same time as everyone else in their age band or clinical risk group."
Women who decide to have a vaccination are asked to phone 111 to register, and advise the team during the call that they are pregnant so that appropriate bookings can be made.
