Covid jab ‘cuts number of stillbirths by 15pc’

Study on anti-vaccine pregnant women finds that inoculation is ‘safer for them and their babies’

THOUSANDS of pregnant women who are still unvaccinated against Covid-19 have been urged to come forward after a study found that the jab reduced stillbirths by 15 per cent.

The most recent government statistics show that more than four in 10 pregnant women are still hesitant about the vaccine, even though catching coronavirus doubles the risk of stillbirth. But a review of 23 studies that involved 117,552 women has found a benefit of getting jabbed to both mother and baby. It concluded that vaccinations are likely to prevent at least 63 stillbirths per 100,000 pregnancies.

With about 680,000 births in Britain each year, the findings suggest more than 400 babies a year could be saved with a complete vaccine rollout to pregnant women.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that although coronavirus infection rates are falling, around one in 35 people is still carrying the virus.

Figures have shown that almost all pregnant women admitted to British hospitals with Covid-19 were unvaccinated.

Experts from St George’s, University of London and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), who carried out the research, urged women to come forward for the jab.

“This paper acts as further reassurance that the Covid-19 vaccine is safe in pregnancy,” said Dr Edward Morris, president of the RCOG.

“We know women have been hesitant about having the vaccine due to concerns over the effect on their baby. We now have strong evidence to show that the vaccine does not increase the risk of adverse outcomes and is the best way of protecting both women and their babies.

“We would recommend all pregnant women have the Covid-19 vaccine and the booster vaccine.”

The rate of stillbirths in Britain is 4.2 in 1,000, but some studies have suggested it can rise to 8.5 per 1,000 for women who catch coronavirus. Based on that rate, a 15 per cent reduction could lower stillbirths by 72 in 100,000.

The research also showed that vaccination in pregnancy is 90 per cent effective against Covid-19 infection for pregnant women, with no increased risk in adverse outcomes for women or their babies.

Most women in the study were vaccinated almost exclusively with MRNA vaccines, such as those produced by Pfizer and Moderna.

Prof Asma Khalil, a senior author on the paper, said: “Our findings should help to address vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women. Most of the data so far have shown the vaccine is safe, and protects the mother, but now we have a benefit to the baby as well.

“Although many things are returning to normal, there is still a very clear and substantial risk of Covid-19 infection for mothers and their babies, including an increased risk of premature birth and stillbirth.”

He added: “It is essential that as many people as possible receive their vaccines to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.

“This paper shows that Covid-19 vaccination is both safe and effective and we hope that this will help to reassure pregnant people to take up their offer of a vaccine going forwards.”