Vaccine appeal to pregnant women over Delta threat

PREGNANT women were yesterday urged to get the vaccine as soon as possible – over fears the Delta strain could be linked with serious illness in those who are expecting.

Chief medical officer Dr Graham Smith issued a stark warning over the variant, following research which shows it is associated with hospitalisations of pregnant women.

It is believed the disease could be even more dangerous in pregnant women because of the pressure already put on a woman’s lungs by the growing foetus. Those in the third trimester are believed to be at the greatest risk.

Last night, Dr Smith said: ‘Recent data shows the number of pregnant women being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 has risen, and that is concerning.

‘Evidence suggests that the Delta variant may be associated with an increased risk of severe illness among hospitalised pregnant women. We want all pregnant women to have the information they need to make an informed choice, so if you have any concerns or questions, please speak to your midwife, GP, or go along to a dropin clinic. By far the best course of action for you and your baby is to get both doses of the vaccine.’

His warning comes as figures show there were 3,464 new cases of coronavirus across Scotland, the highest recorded on a Saturday since the pandemic began.

It comes as Friday’s state of the epidemic report from the Scottish Government revealed case rates rose across all age bands this week, with the highest case rates being reported in those aged 20 to 39.

Meanwhile, 4,075,555 people have now received their first dose of the vaccine in Scotland and 3,541,708 their second.

However, the Scottish Government has launched a major drive to encourage pregnant people to get their jabs too, over fears the Delta variant could hit them harder.

Pat O’Brien, vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told The Mail on Sunday last week that he had witnessed more pregnant women fighting for their lives in intensive care than at any other point during the pandemic. He added that a pregnant woman with Covid is twice as likely to end up in intensive care as a woman the same age who is not pregnant.

Marian Knight, professor of maternal and child population health at Oxford University, has said that one in ten pregnant women who caught the virus ended up in intensive care and one in five gave birth prematurely.

She said: ‘The majority... were in the third trimester of pregnancy so it makes sense to get that protection before you get to the most risky stage.’

Between Friday and Saturday there were 320 people in hospitals in Scotland with Covid, with a further 32 in intensive care units. Three more people were reported to have died. Last night, Dr Smith added: ‘I want to thank all our healthcare staff for everything they are doing across Scotland – not just in relation to the wider vaccination programme, but also for their efforts to ensure good outcomes for women, families and babies during the pandemic.

‘We have written to health boards and GPs to ensure they are aware of all the latest evidence-based advice and guidance to enable them to fully discuss the very clear positive benefits of the vaccine with their patients.’

‘It makes sense to get that protection’