Cairns doctor Liz Jackson addresses misinformation over Covid vaccine for pregnant women

A top Cairns obstetrician says many pregnant mums are putting themselves and their babies at huge risk by shying away from the Covid jab.

A TOP Cairns obstetrician says many pregnant mums are putting themselves and their babies at huge risk by shying away from the Covid jab.

Birds of Paradise Women’s Health Clinic obstetrician Dr Liz Jackson is reminding mothers to be aware of the risks they face if they remain unvaccinated against Covid-19, which she says are far greater than any “minimal side effects” caused by the vaccines.

Dr Jackson said 95 per cent of her pregnant patients were vaccinated, but only after a number of conversations dispelling misinformation.

Citing statistics released by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service where one in six Covid patients requiring the highest form of life-saving care were unvaccinated pregnant women, Dr Jackson said simply being pregnant could worsen a woman’s Covid symptoms.

Birds of Paradise Women’s Health Clinic obstetrician Dr Liz Jackson.

“The most common comment we have are that women are hesitant because of concerns the vaccine will harm their babies and they’re wishing to pursue the vaccine after pregnancy,” Dr Jackson said.

“But the real issue is that in pregnancy, and the few weeks after, is when they’re really immunocompromised. That’s what makes them very vulnerable.”

Dr Jackson said instead, catching the virus would be a lot more serious.

“So unvaccinated women in the UK that are pregnant are disproportionately represented in the ICU, and they’re 15 times more likely to need intubation due to the more likely severity of getting unwell with Covid,” she said.

“Covid can increase risk of pregnancy complications, causing pneumonia, causing preterm birth and increasing the rate of caesarean section.”

She urged all pregnant women to avoid the misinformation on social media which she said was driving most concerns.

“Vaccination is safe in pregnant women, women planning pregnancy, women breastfeeding.

“It doesn’t affect your fertility, it doesn’t cross the placenta, but the antibodies that protect your baby do.”

A pregnant woman receives a Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Getty Images.

Dr Jackson said the rate of unvaccinated pregnant women among the Indigenous population was a concern.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service’s obstetrics and gynaecology clinical director Dr Samantha Scherman echoed Dr Jackson’s advice.

“We explain to all of our patients that there is currently no evidence of harm from the vaccine, regardless of what gestation in the pregnancy the vaccine is administered.

“If you are pregnant, you are in a priority group for Covid-19 vaccination.

“Research has shown that those who are pregnant have a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 and their babies have a higher risk of being born prematurely. Vaccination is the best way to reduce these risks.”

She said pregnant women were encouraged to complete the routine primary course of Pfizer or Moderna to ensure adequate protection.

Click here for further information about the Covid-19 vaccine and pregnancy.

Originally published as Cairns doctor Liz Jackson addresses misinformation over Covid vaccine for pregnant women