COVID-19: One in six NHS’s most critically ill patients are unvaccinated pregnant women

Following the evidence, NHS England releases statistics; COVID can be dangerous to expectant mothers and their babies. As per the new data that NHS has collected, one out of six of its most critically ill patients are unvaccinated pregnant women. NHS England reported that 20 of the 118 COVID patients who got extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (Ecmo) between July and September were expecting mothers.

Further, 19 of them had never been vaccinated, while the other had just received one dosage of a vaccine. Thus, the new data aims at convincing pregnant women to get vaccinated as early as possible to avoid any complications later.

Problem for mothers-to-be

The figures were issued as part of a renewed drive by NHS England to convince pregnant women to get completely vaccinated, following new evidence from Israeli experts that coronavirus can cause major issues for the mother-to-be and her unborn child in the later stages of pregnancy. NHS England's chief midwifery officer, Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, stated:

This is another stark reminder that the Covid-19 jab can keep you, your baby, and your loved ones safe and out of the hospital.

You can receive vaccination at any time in pregnancy, but the risks that unvaccinated pregnant women face of becoming severely unwell if they catch Covid-19 show exactly why we advise you to do so as soon as possible.

Experts have expressed worry over the number of expectant mothers who have not yet been immunized. This stems from the irrational belief that getting vaccinated could harm the mother, her baby, or both. However, the truth is quite the opposite.

Urgent priority

After being placed on a mechanical ventilator, those who have had Ecmo therapy have frequently failed to respond. COVID-19-positive pregnant women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, have lower white blood cell counts, and have harder breathing during and after delivery. It might also lead to difficulty in breathing for the newborn kid. As such, doctors and experts have as an urgent priority called for all pregnant women to get fully vaccinated.

Sarah McMullen, director of impact and engagement at parenting charity NCT, said in response to the Ecmo figures:

The news that unvaccinated pregnant women now make up nearly 20% of England’s most critically ill Covid patients is a damning indictment of the lack of attention given to this vulnerable group as restrictions have eased.