Patients’ group joins calls to vaccinate pregnant women
All mums-to-be should get the jab after health experts link four stillbirths to the Covid-19 virus, writes
ALEADING maternity expert has said an association of Covid-19 infection with still birth remained “an unproven observation” in a move aimed at reassuring pregnant women.
A potential link between Covid-19 and stillbirth was disclosed at a National Public Health Emergency meeting on Thursday, after coroners found Covid-19 infection of the placenta as a factor in four stillbirths in January and February.
Dr Krysia Lynch, a maternity expert who chairs the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS), said the news of the potential association has understandably caused increased anxiety in pregnant women.
However she said while “grateful” the data has been released, it is “as yet incomplete and provisional”.
“There is no conclusive proof of a causation, or what, if any, other factors may have contributed to this very sad outcome for some people who have had Covid-19 during pregnancy. From the data and the evidence base that are available, the vast majority of people who have contracted Covid-19 during pregnancy recover well and their babies are born healthy.”
The potential link between Covid-19 and stillbirths was disclosed by the deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, on Thursday, who told reporters of four preliminary reports of stillbirths potentially associated with a condition called Covid Placentitis. “These reports should be interpreted with caution as the coroners have not yet concluded their findings,” he said.
Following the disclosure, patient advocates have joined calls for pregnant women to be given the option of a Covid-19 vaccine after health experts linked four stillbirths to Covid-19.
The Irish Patients Association said pregnant women should be offered the jab, regardless of their risk category.
Stephen McMahon, director of the Irish Patients Association, said expectant mothers should be given the reassurance of getting the vaccine, if they wish.
“The safest thing is not to assume you are NOT at risk,” he said. “Regardless of their risk category, it is clear that there are benefits to pregnant women getting the Covid jab.”
The four cases of cases of Covid Placentitis were flagged with the Health Service Executive, which issued an alert to hospitals.
The group echoed calls from the Master of the Rotunda, Fergal Malone, who said on Friday that expectant mothers should be moved up the vaccine priority list.
Professor Malone told RTÉ that it would be difficult to conclude that the Covid-19 in the placenta actually caused the stillbirth but putting women at the end of the queue for Covid-19 is “not a good thing.”
The HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) confirmed that “a small number of stillbirths associated with Covid infection, known as Covid Placentitis, were recently reported in Ireland.
It said Covid Placentitis is considered to be an complication of Covid where the placenta becomes infected with Covid and the placenta’s ability to pass oxygen and nutrients to the baby may be compromised.
The HSE advised pregnant women to ensure they are not in situations where they could contract Covid and keep following the public health guidance — hand-washing, social distancing, wearing a facemask. Pregnant woman who test positive for Covid-19, who detect decreased foetal movements, should contact a doctor or midwife for “appropriate reassurance.”
The HSE said Covid Placentitis requires further research and examination and pointed to the thousands of births in Ireland that have occurred in the past year, throughout this pandemic.
“The majority of cases of Covid-19 during pregnancy have had very good outcomes with most women experiencing only mild symptoms and there has been no maternal deaths as a result of Covid-19 in Ireland.
It also cited “International evidence has not noted any increase in stillbirth related to Covid.
“The health and well-being of women and infants is at the centre of the HSE and the NWIHP and this precautionary measure ensures staff can provide the best possible care.”
‘It is clear there are benefits to pregnant women getting jabs’