Mathur said thousands of pregnant women around the world had been vaccinated without any safety concerns to mother or child.

“Pregnant ladies who are in good health or are breastfeeding may be vaccinated with any of the existing vaccinations,” Mathur said.

Previously, pregnant women in some countries including the United Kingdom had been advised against taking the Covid-19 vaccine because not enough information was known about the impact,

The call comes as Timor-Leste continues to ramp up its Covid-19 vaccination program as a key way to reduce threat of coronavirus infection and end restrictions on movement and public gatherings.

People fully vaccinated are able to move freely around the country without applying for travel exemption.

As of Friday, 230,175 people (30.5% of the population over 18 years) have received their first dose and 31,369 people (4.2%) have already completed their vaccination, according to health data.

Timor-Leste currently has 903 reported cases of Covid-19 infection, with positive cases in all municipalities but Manufahi and Liquica.