As of January 6, nearly 30% of pregnant women had received only one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
- Since July 2021, vaccination is recommended for pregnant women from the first trimester of pregnancy.
- The rate of non-vaccination is higher for pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
More than 53 million people have a complete vaccination schedule in France, according to a point from the Ministry of Health, published on February 19, 2022. Among those who received only one or no dose, there are many pregnant women. According to one study of the scientific interest group EPI-PHARE, a device of the Health Insurance and the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines, they are under-vaccinated compared to the rest of the population.
Different vaccination rates depending on the trimester
As of January 6, 29.8% of pregnant women had received no vaccine dose, and 39.4% had received only one dose. “The rate of pregnant women who have not received any vaccine dose differs according to the trimester of pregnancy: it is much higher for women in their last trimester of pregnancy (41.7%) than for those in their first trimester of pregnancy ( 21.0%) or in the second (26.8%)”, says the document. This can be explained by the evolution of the recommendations: vaccination is recommended from the first trimester of pregnancy since this summer.
Fewer vaccinated among young women
The report points to another specificity: the younger the pregnant women, the greater the likelihood that they will not be vaccinated. 41.3% of 15-24 year olds have not received any vaccine dose. The place of residence and the socio-economic situation are also correlated with vaccination. 34.3% of women residing in the most disadvantaged municipalities are not vaccinated against 21.9% of pregnant women residing in the most advantaged municipalities. The overseas regions, the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region and Corsica are those where the rate of unvaccinated pregnant women is the highest.
An information campaign for pregnant women
“The available studies have not shown any consequences of mRNA vaccines on the course of pregnancy, recalls the press release. On the other hand, cases of severe form of Covid-19 in unvaccinated pregnant women have been reported, in France and elsewhere, some resulting in stays in critical care, with tracheal intubations and death of the mother during pregnancy.To make pregnant women aware of the need for vaccination, Health Insurance and the State have decided to strengthen the information campaign, while raising awareness among health professionals of this issue. Since the summer of 2021, notifications are sent by the Health Insurance to pregnant women to invite them to be vaccinated.In addition, letters will be sent to 21,000 insured persons who do not have an ameli account, who are between their 4th and 7th month of pregnancy.“, specifies the health insurance.
#Covid19 | The scientific interest group in the epidemiology of products of #health, @EPIPHAREcreated by@ansm and Health Insurance publishes a report highlighting the under-vaccination of pregnant women against Covid-19 ⬇️
— Health Insurance (@Assur_Maladie) February 17, 2022
