Rise in unvaccinated pregnant women falling seriously ill
WALES is seeing a worrying rise in unvaccinated pregnant women seriously ill in hospital with Covid-19.
Public Health Wales has now launched a campaign to encourage more pregnant women to get themselves vaccinated against the virus.
Experts say there is “growing evidence” that pregnant women with coronavirus are at a higher risk of severe illness and hospital admission compared to non-pregnant women with coronavirus.
Complications such as pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth and stillbirth are also understood to be twice as likely in pregnant women with Covid compared to pregnant women who don’t have the virus. Data suggests the risk of severe illness increases in the third trimester and for women with underlying health conditions.
Dr Christopher Johnson, consultant epidemiologist and interim head of the vaccine preventable disease programme for Public Health Wales, said: “Vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing coronavirus and reducing risks to pregnant women and their babies.
“In America 160,000 pregnant women have had the coronavirus vaccine, and here in Wales, Scotland and England 100,000 pregnant women have had the coronavirus vaccine. No adverse effects on pregnancy have been identified as a result of having the vaccine while pregnant. The NHS monitors the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in pregnancy and we will continue to do so.
“There has been a lot of misinformation around the safety of the vaccines in pregnancy. However, research involving more than 40,000 pregnant women shows having the coronavirus vaccine does not increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth or stillbirth.
“However, catching coronavirus while pregnant means you’re twice as likely to develop complications like pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth and stillbirth. Although the risks involved are generally quite low, the science shows it is safer to have the vaccine than not have it.”
Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, Sue Tranka, said: “I want to reassure expectant mothers that the coronavirus vaccine is based on science that has been used safely on pregnant women for many years, including vaccines already administered during pregnancy like whooping cough and the flu vaccine. The vaccine used is not a live vaccine, so cannot give you the virus.
“The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives both recommend vaccination as one of the best defences against severe infection.
“We are seeing an increased number of unvaccinated pregnant women in hospital seriously ill with coronavirus. The vaccine can help protect mums and babies from avoidable harm and can be given at any time during pregnancy. I would encourage people to take the vaccine when offered.”
Helen Rogers, director for Wales at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: “Having the Covid vaccination could save your life, could stop you becoming seriously ill with the virus, and could prevent avoidable harm to your baby.
“My appeal to pregnant women across Wales who have not been vaccinated is to consider having it, so that they can avoid being one of these statistics, and to protect themselves, their babies and their families.
“I have real concerns about the misleading and often simply wrong information circulating about the vaccine and pregnancy, and which may be affecting women’s decisions to have it or not.
“I urge women to get their information from trusted sources such as the NHS and government websites or medical organisations such as the RCM and The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. If you are unsure about the vaccination do speak to a healthcare professional such as your midwife or GP who will give you unbiased and factual advice and support.”
Earlier this week, we reported how almost a fifth of the most critically ill coronavirus patients in England in recent months were unvaccinated pregnant women.
NHS England said that, between July 1 and September 30, 17% of Covid patients receiving treatment through a special lung-bypass machine were mothers-to-be who had not had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
The organisation said data also showed that pregnant women accounted for 32% of all females aged between 16 and 49 in intensive care on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) – used when a patient’s lungs are so damaged by Covid that a ventilator cannot maintain oxygen levels.
Dr Edward Morris, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the “disproportionate” number of unvaccinated pregnant women in intensive care shows there is a “significant risk of severe illness from Covid-19 in pregnancy”.
He said: “We are urgently calling for all pregnant women to come forward for their vaccinations.
“There is robust evidence showing that the vaccine is the most effective way to protect both mother and baby against the possibility of severe illness from Covid-19. We do understand women’s concerns about having the vaccine in pregnancy, and we want to reassure women that there is no link between having the vaccine and an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth.”
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) said the statistics are a “damning indictment of the lack of attention given to this vulnerable group as restrictions have eased”.
Sarah McMullen, director of impact and engagement at the NCT, said: “We’ve been extremely disappointed to hear of so much misinformation and confusion about the vaccination programme and so little focus on what’s needed to keep vulnerable groups safe as restrictions have eased.
“We strongly encourage pregnant women to consider having the Covid19 vaccination and have information on our website to help them make a decision.”