The majority of pregnant women in the UK are still rejecting the covid vaccine, despite increased chances of stillbirth, premature birth and health risks.
Analysis from an Oxford University report has revealed that 86 per cent of black women, 73 per cent of Asian women and 65 per cent of white women were unvaccinated at the time they were due to give birth in October 2021.
Women’s health campaigners have called for “urgent action” to be taken to address the “stark racial and social inequalities” amongst expectant mothers.
The study from the Nuffield Department of Population Health discovered that severe covid infection in pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, significantly increased the risk of giving birth early, having an induction or a Caesarean, having a stillborn baby or a baby that needed intensive care.
Across the UK, an estimated 1.1 million women gave birth between March 1 2020 and October 31 2021.
Overall, 4,436 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with covid during this period in the UK, of whom 65 per cent had mild disease, 21 per cent had moderate illness and 14 per cent had severe infection.
Some 77 per cent of all the women were in their third trimester of pregnancy, according to Wales Online.
Of the 1,761 women whose vaccination status was recorded in this group (from when vaccines became available), 97 per cent were unvaccinated, 2 per cent had received their first dose, and 1 per cent had received two doses.
During the study period, 22 women died with severe covid-19 during pregnancy, 59 babies were stillborn and 10 babies died around the time of birth.
Those women at greatest risk were over 30, from black, Asian or other minority ethnicity backgrounds, were obese or had other health conditions such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
The study also found that 82 per cent of women from the most deprived areas of the country were unvaccinated at the time of birth, compared with 52 per cent of those in the least deprived areas.
Professor Marian Knight, from Oxford University, who led the study, said: “While vaccination rates are increasing, it is extremely concerning that pregnant women who are at most risk of severe infection are among the communities least likely to be vaccinated before giving birth.
“Local community engagement with vulnerable groups of women should be an urgent priority to address concerns and give reassurance about the covid vaccine.”
Dr Nighat Arif, a GP with an interest in women’s health, and a medic on BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning, said: “The covid vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant women and their babies.
“If you are thinking about becoming or are already pregnant please get the covid vaccine.
“You can also have the vaccine if you are breastfeeding. It offers you and your baby the best protection against serious illness and complications from the virus.
“Speak to your GP, nurse, midwife or obstetrician if you have any questions or would like to find out more – and book your vaccine, whether it is the first, second or booster dose, straight away.”
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