Pregnant women have an increased likelihood of becoming seriously ill as a result of Covid-19. Therefore, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that pregnant women protect themselves by taking two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
After carefully assessing the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, the FHI extended the vaccination recommendation to all pregnant women in August 2021. The basis of the recommendation is to protect both the mother and the newborn baby against the severe course of the disease.
Preliminary UK data (UKOSS study) on COVID-19 in pregnancy shows that over 98% of pregnant women who had symptoms of COVID-19 and required hospitalization were unvaccinated. Of the 235 women in intensive care in the hospital, 232 were unvaccinated, only 3 received one dose of the vaccine and none received two doses. Similar research results are also observed in the USA.
This gives a clear picture of how important it is for pregnant women to protect themselves from the coronavirus and for them to be fully vaccinated before or during pregnancy, says Margrethe Greve-Isdahl, pediatrician and chief physician at the National Institute of Public. Health.
In Norway, 7 out of 10 pregnant women were vaccinated, of which 1 in 10 were vaccinated before pregnancy
Pregnancy is not registered in the National Vaccination Register (SYSVAK). Therefore, we do not have an exact overview of how much pregnant women received the Covid-19 vaccine in Norway. On the other hand, summarized information in different registers gives a rough estimate. Currently, in Norway, probably 7 out of 10 pregnant women have been vaccinated, of which 1 in 10 was vaccinated before becoming pregnant and almost 6 out of 10 were vaccinated during pregnancy. Of those who were vaccinated during pregnancy, at least 8 in 10 received two doses.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that pregnant women receive two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine
- We are glad that many pregnant women have accepted the offer of vaccination during pregnancy. It is important to know that pregnant women are more likely to become seriously ill if they are infected with the coronavirus. That's why it's especially important that they have good protection during pregnancy, says Greve-Isdahl.
Greve-Isdahl points out that people who have already been fully vaccinated before pregnancy do not need to be vaccinated again. It also recommends that health Service talked to pregnant women about getting vaccinated against Covid-19, just like against the flu. Work is currently underway to develop information materials for maternity care.
No increased complications of pregnancy for the vaccinated
Studies supporting the recommendation to vaccinate pregnant women show that women who have been vaccinated during pregnancy in conjunction with Covid-19 are as unlikely to have complications during pregnancy as those who are not vaccinated. pregnancy poisoning, fetal growth retardation, miscarriage, stillbirth and maternal death.
Can pregnant women get the Covid-19 vaccine during the first trimester of pregnancy?
In general, we refrain from vaccination during the first trimester, when the organs of the fetus are formed, according to the precautionary principle. This also applies to the Covid-19 vaccine. Pregnant women who are at risk of coronary heart disease can still be vaccinated in the first trimester as the risk of serious disease will also be higher in the first trimester in people with underlying disease. If a pregnant woman is at high risk of infection, vaccination during the first trimester of pregnancy may also be considered. If a pregnant woman is not sure whether she belongs to this group, she should contact her GP.
Should healthcare professionals be given a refreshment while pregnant?
Employees health service will receive a refresher dose 6 months after being fully vaccinated with the second dose. The offer is mainly about indirectly increasing the protection of vulnerable and care-requiring patients, as a refresher dose can reduce the risk of spreading infection. Individual protection against serious disease in healthcare workers is high after two doses of the vaccine. Vaccination of pregnant women always requires a separate, thorough assessment. In the case of the refresher dose, the question is whether there is an equally strong reason for fully vaccinated pregnant healthcare workers to receive a third dose of the vaccine when they already have good individual protection against serious disease after two doses. There are limited data on the use of a refresher dose for this group.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that pregnant women receive two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine
So far, there are no indications that vaccination of pregnant women with two doses of mRNA vaccine poses a risk to the mother, fetus, or the course of pregnancy. So there is no reason to expect a refreshing dose to give a different picture. Once the mother is well protected, the benefits of a refreshing dose for pregnant women will be limited.
Pregnant health care workers who wish to vaccinate themselves with a refreshing dose because they work with vulnerable patients will have the opportunity to receive it on an equal footing with non-pregnant health care workers. Pregnant health care workers who do not want a refreshment must be respected for their choice.
Source: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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