Recent research from Washington state has uncovered that pregnant individuals are at a significantly heightened risk of contracting COVID-19, with infection rates 70% higher than their counterparts in the same age group. This study, featured in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, highlights a particularly alarming trend among nonwhite pregnant individuals, who appear to bear a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infections.
Kristina Adams Waldorf, a researcher from the University of Washington, commented, “Our findings show that pregnant individuals did not manage to evade the pandemic as we had hoped. The increased infection rates, combined with a greater likelihood of severe illness and maternal mortality related to COVID-19, indicate that pregnancy should be classified as a high-risk condition when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine distribution across the U.S.”
The study involved a collaborative effort from 35 hospitals and health clinics, identifying 240 pregnant individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 between March and June 2020. The analysis included data from a significant portion of the state’s annual births, revealing that 13.9 out of every 1,000 newborns were born to mothers who had COVID-19, compared to 7.3 per 1,000 among residents aged 20 to 39. After excluding 45 cases identified through asymptomatic screening, the infection rate among pregnant women adjusted to 11.3 per 1,000.
The authors noted, “Pregnant individuals were not shielded from COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic, and the highest infection burden was observed across nearly all racial and ethnic minority groups. This information, coupled with the understanding that pregnancy is a risk factor for severe illness and maternal mortality, strongly suggests that pregnant individuals should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S.”
Waldorf also encouraged pregnant individuals to consult with their prenatal care providers regarding the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. “We aim to leverage insights from this study to enhance our preparedness for future pandemics and ensure that pregnant individuals are included in vaccine trials and distribution discussions,” she emphasized.
Public health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have recommended that pregnant individuals who have access to COVID-19 vaccines should receive them.
The research team suggests that the elevated infection rates among pregnant individuals may stem from various factors, including exposure through children in daycare, caregiving roles within larger families, and representation in essential professions during the pandemic. Erica Lokken, PhD, a study author, stated, “The increased infection rates among pregnant patients may also reflect the overrepresentation of women in essential roles during COVID-19, such as in healthcare and education.”
The researchers are calling for targeted public health messaging to address the geographical, racial, ethnic, and language disparities in SARS-CoV-2 infections among pregnant individuals to more effectively direct resources and support to those at greatest risk.
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In summary, this study underscores the heightened risk of COVID-19 among pregnant individuals, particularly those from minority backgrounds, and emphasizes the need for prioritizing them in vaccination efforts to mitigate severe health outcomes.