Pregnant women should be prioritised for Covid jabs due to ‘growing evidence they are at increased risk of serious consequences’, JCVI says
- Pregnant women should be prioritised for the jab as they are at risk, the JCVI said
- New advice comes after new data showed 34 pregnant women died from Covid
- Usual death rate for pregnant women is around 9 per cent for any given cause
- But it was up almost 50 per cent to October due to excess deaths from the virus
Pregnant women should be prioritised for Covid-19 jabs due to ‘growing evidence they were at increased risk of serious consequences’, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said.
The new advice comes after new data showed 34 women had died in the UK after catching the virus while pregnant. Four newborn babies have also died where medics said the reason was Covid-19.
Studies suggest the death rate for pregnant women is usually about nine per 100,000 live births – equivalent to around 60 pregnant women dying per year from any cause.
But up to the end of October this year, there were 27 extra Covid deaths – an almost 50 per cent rise on what would normally be expected for the year, according to analysis by the University of Oxford.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said pregnant women should be prioritised for Covid-19 jabs due to ‘growing evidence they were at increased risk of serious consequences’
In a snapshot of cases, 1,436 pregnant women were admitted to hospital between May 16 and the end of October this year with symptoms of Covid-19, of which 230 ended up in intensive care.
More than 96 per cent of these women were unvaccinated. Just 16 women in hospital had had two vaccine doses, showing the powerful effect of vaccines.
The figures relate to before the Omicron variant of coronavirus took hold.
The JCVI urged all those who are unvaccinated to book their vaccines now, while women who have had two doses can get their booster if they have had their second vaccine dose at least three months ago.
Data from UKOSS and MBRRACE-UK suggests that clinical outcomes following Covid-19 in pregnant women have worsened over the course of the pandemic.
It found that more pregnant women with Covid-19 are experiencing more severe disease as the pandemic progresses, with more of those going to hospital being admitted to intensive care (7.9 per cent in the first wave compared with 16 per cent in the third wave).
In a snapshot of cases, 1,436 pregnant women were admitted to hospital between May 16 and the end of October this year with symptoms of Covid-19, of which 230 ended up in intensive care. More than 96 per cent of these women were unvaccinated
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI, said: ‘There is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 vaccines used in pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirths, congenital abnormalities or birth complications.
‘Having a UK-approved Covid-19 vaccine is safer than having Covid-19 itself.
‘Women who are pregnant are strongly encouraged to have a first, second or booster vaccine dose as appropriate in order to better protect yourself and your baby from any serious consequences from Covid-19.’
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: ‘The serious risks posed to women who become infected with Covid-19 during pregnancy have become increasingly clear.
‘We know that the vaccines used in the UK Covid-19 vaccination programme have been highly effective in preventing serious complications and those recommended for pregnant women have a good safety record.
‘I would urge all pregnant women to come forward and get their vaccine without delay. This is the best way to protect you and your baby.’
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI, said: ‘There is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 vaccines used in pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirths, congenital abnormalities or birth complications’
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Royal College of Midwives published a joint statement saying the Government should ensure that there are no barriers of access to the vaccine, and should consider ways in which the system can prioritise pregnant women.
They said targets should be set to rapidly increase uptake of the vaccine in pregnant women and eliminate the disparities by ethnic group and socioeconomic status.
Gill Walton, chief executive of the RCM, said: ‘The RCM together with the RCOG and other organisations have been calling for pregnant women to be prioritised in the vaccination and booster programme.
‘What is crucial now is that women are able to access vaccination hubs or clinics close to where they are receiving their maternity care.
‘We are aware of reports of pregnant women waiting for hours in queues at walk-in centres or even when they have appointments and this is unacceptable.
‘Providing clinics in or very near antenatal clinics, staffed by vaccination teams, is a great way to encourage uptakeX$ and will also ensure that midwives, already in short supply, aren’t taken away from their core work.
‘It’s also vital that all vaccinators and vaccination centres are not only aware that pregnant women are recommended to be vaccinated and have the booster and pregnancy, but are trained in supporting them through the process too.’
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Royal College of Midwives published a joint statement saying the Government should ensure that there are no barriers of access to the vaccine
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