Pregnant women in Ontario now eligible for coronavirus vaccines

"In response to emerging data on the increased risk of severe illness for pregnant women, all pregnant individuals will be eligible to register for vaccination appointments under the highest risk health conditions in the Phase 2 prioritization guidance starting today," the Ministry of Health declared in a statement.

The announcement comes as the province experiences a surge in serious coronavirus infections among expecting women.

It also represents a change of course from earlier this week, when provincial Health Minister Christine Elliott announced that pregnant women would only be eligible for the vaccine under the advice of a physician. Some pregnant women complained, however, that they were not being considered eligible even after receiving approval from a physician.

Under the new regulations, pregnant women no longer need a doctor's approval to receive their vaccination.

Pregnant women will need to call the provincial call centre at 1-888-999-6488 to book their vaccines, while those who are not in an area on the provincial booking system will book vaccination appointments through their public health unit.