Vaccination rates lowest for pregnant Black women
While new data shows overall racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations are improving, federal numbers show pregnant Black people are the least vaccinated compared to those expecting in other races.
In general, vaccination rates among those who are pregnant have been low, with only around 20% receiving a dose, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
But the rate is even lower among those who are Black: Just 15% are fully vaccinated and only 13% have received at least one dose, according to the CDC.
Black women experience disproportionate rates of maternal complications and mortality, and pregnant women are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, leaving them especially vulnerable without immunization.
Women giving birth while having COVID-19 had “significantly higher rates” of ICU admission, intubation, ventilation and death, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. In August alone, 21 pregnant people died of COVID-19, according to the CDC.
During a COVID-19 White House briefing Tuesday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted the statistics and explained a vaccine’s safety for pregnant women.
Across other racial groups, the reported rates of vaccinations among pregnant people are more promising: About a quarter of Hispanic or Latinos have gotten a vaccine, a third of whites, and 45% of Asians – the highest of any racial group.
Indigenous, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and “other” races made up 30% of vaccinated pregnant people.
Scientists have said vaccines are safe to be taken at any time while pregnant or breastfeeding for both mother and baby.
“We are fortunate now to have extraordinary safety data with all of these vaccines,” Walensky said. “We know that pregnant women are at increased risk of severe disease, of hospitalization and ventilation. They’re also at increased risk for adverse events to their baby.”
The director said studies have also shown vaccine antibodies could also potentially protect the baby.
Dr. Pam Oliver, a physician in obstetrics and gynecology and executive vice president at North Carolina’s Novant Health, said the low rate sounds an alarm to build better health care provider relationships with Black women.
“As a Black female OB-GYN committed to reducing disparities, equitable access to care, there’s a little bit of sadness, and concern,” she said. “What this says is that we have a significant hill to climb to both get the trust of Black women in general but especially during pregnancy so we can really protect them with the vaccine.”
Oliver said many women encounter misinformation surrounding the vaccine and pregnancy on social media, leading to doubts. To fight the misinformation, she said clinicians need to patiently engage with women’s questions, validate their emotions and then reassure them with science.
“Pregnancy is a precious time. It’s also a time that a lot of women have fear,” she said. “It is natural to have questions... so let’s talk about what we know, let’s put it in perspective.”