Covid-19 death risk link to pregnancy

PREGNANT women are 22 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than other women, a top medic claims.

Professor Aris Papageorghiou said his findings show that pregnant and post-pregnant women should be prioritised for vaccinations.

Currently they have the jab as normal with their age group unless they have specific underlying health conditions.

Complications

Prof Papageorghiou said that mums-to-be having Covid doubles the risk of premature birth. It also raises the risk of complications during pregnancy by more than 50 per cent, including a fivefold higher risk of needing intensive care.

The professor, who is a foetal medicine expert at Oxford University, studied more than 2,000 pregnant women. Of 1,400 pregnant women without Covid, one died. But in 700 pregnant women with Covid, 11 died – with the majority of the deaths said to be virus-related.

Prof Papageorghiou added: “Our study unequivocally shows women who are pregnant and become infected with Covid have worse outcomes.

“Covid in a pregnant woman increases complications that can lead to premature birth, which is the No 1 contributor to newborn death and longterm disability.

“Pregnant women should constitute a high-risk group by virtue of their pregnancy.”

The Department of Health said: “We are focused on saving lives and we follow the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to vaccinate the most vulnerable first, based on age.”