Pregnant women have finally been made a priority group for Covid vaccinations as scientists rule they are vulnerable to serious illnesses.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced pregnant women will move into priority group 6, alongside Brits under the age of 65 years who have long-term health conditions.
The vaccines watchdog said there was “growing evidence showing that women who are pregnant are at increased risk of serious consequences from Covid-19”.
And they encouraged pregnant women to get their first or booster jabs as soon as possible.
Maternal health experts have been calling for pregnant women to be deemed a priority for months.
A lack of messaging promoting the safety of Covid jabs on newborn babies and their mums appeared to have stopped women from getting vaccinated.
Figures from the Health Security Agency (HSA) show that in England 97% of women giving birth in May 2021 were unvaccinated.
This dropped to 77% in August.
But in the same month, when pregnant women could get their jabs as their age group was eligible, only 22% of women in England gave birth with with a single dose.
It was slightly higher in Scotland with 25% and lower in Wales with 18%.
As it stands, pregnant women are 50% more likely to die with Covid than those who don't catch the virus.
Most deaths have occurred in unvaccinated pregnant women.
Data from UKOSS and MBRRACE-UK suggests pregnant women who catch Covid are now more likely to have severe side-effects or disease, with more going to hospital and being admitted into intensive care.
The statistics show 8.9% of pregnant women would end up in hospital in comparison to 16% in the third wave.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of JCVI Covid-19 immunisation, 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.”
DHSC’s Chief Scientific Adviser and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician Professor Lucy Chappell said: “It’s hugely concerning seeing the impact COVID-19 can have on these women – with 1 in 5 hospitalised with the virus needing to be delivered preterm to help them recover and 1 in 5 of their babies needing care in the neonatal unit.
“The updated advice from the JCVI highlights just how important it is pregnant women get the vaccine – please book yours as soon as you can and speak to your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns.”
