Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Wales’ pregnant women encouraged to have Covid vaccine after rise in hospital admissions

18 Sep 2021 2 minute read
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash.

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton is appealing to pregnant women to accept their Covid-19 vaccine when offered.

This follows the rise in the number of unvaccinated pregnant women being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 who are experiencing serious illness.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) both recommend vaccination as one of the best defences against severe infection.

Dr Atherton, said: “COVID-19 infection in pregnancy carries a significant risk of hospital admission, whilst pregnant women appear no more or less likely to contract the virus, growing evidence shows that pregnant women may be at increased risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19 compared with the rest of the population, particularly in the third trimester.

“The Covid-19 vaccine can protect mums and babies from avoidable harm. We now have a lot of worldwide experience to know that the vaccine is safe and effective at all stages of pregnancy – women shouldn’t wait, take it as soon as possible whether planning pregnancy or already pregnant.

“I want to reassure expectant mothers that the vaccine is based on science that has been used safely on pregnant women for many years, including vaccines already administered during pregnancy like whooping cough and the flu vaccine. The vaccine used is not a live vaccine, so cannot give you the virus.

“The COVID-19 vaccine can be given at any time of a pregnancy. I would encourage people to contact their health board if they have not accepted their offer. The latest evidence and medical professionals agree that the vaccine provides the greatest protection from COVID-19.”

The number of patients with confirmed Covid in Wales’ hospitals had risen to 520 by Wednesday. Including suspected Covid and recovering patients, the number across Wales has risen to 668.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.