Released on: 16 November 2021
In response to Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, issuing the 'stark facts' about Covid-19 and unvaccinated pregnant women, Sarah McMullen, Director of Impact and Engagement, NCT, said:
‘The statistics are bleak in showing that maternal deaths from Covid-19 continue to occur, and that 98% of pregnant women who were admitted to hospital with the virus had not been vaccinated. Of the 235 women admitted to intensive care with Covid-19 between February and September 2021, only three had received a single dose and none had received both doses of the vaccine.
‘It is vital that pregnant women are provided with the evidence on risks of Covid-19 and are supported to make an informed decision about the vaccine. It’s understandable that women have questions and we have been frustrated to hear of misinformation circulating.
‘The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Royal College of Midwives are reliable sources of evidence-based information. We have collated useful signposting and support on our website and strongly encourage pregnant women to consider having the Covid-19 vaccination.’
