The Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday night that at least three pregnant women recently admitted to hospital with coronavirus-related complications had contracted the British variant of the pathogen.
Health workers treating COVID-19 patients at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer
(Photo: AFP)
At the request of the head of public health services, dr. Sharon Elrai-Price, several samples of the women were sent to the central virology laboratory of the ministry at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, where the preliminary results of DNA sequencing were present from the mutation. .
Meanwhile, health care providers announced Tuesday night that the national COVID-19 vaccination process will soon be expanded to include pregnant women.
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) reported that they had received many inquiries in the past day from women who wanted to be vaccinated, as reports of COVID-positive mothers being admitted to the hospital in a serious condition are expected.
The Ministry of Health has issued a statement stressing that the vaccine poses no threat to pregnant women.
Citizens queuing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Tel Aviv
“According to experts, there is no biological mechanism that can harm the mother or the fetus,” the statement said. “Women who received the vaccine without knowing they were pregnant reported no abnormal effects during pregnancy compared to their unvaccinated counterparts.”
Pregnant women were not previously among the priority groups for the vaccine and could not make an appointment to get the chance. In the past, the regulations of the Ministry of Health were even forbidden to give the shot during pregnancy because it was not tested during clinical trials on pregnant women.
Vials with COVID-19 vaccine
(Photo: AFP)
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old, seven-month-old pregnant woman was earlier transferred to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva while doctors fought for her life. She underwent a caesarean section and has now been admitted to hospital in a very serious condition. The baby is in a stable condition.
A five-month pregnant woman was hospitalized in the intensive care unit in Sheba and another woman was admitted to the intensive care unit at Laniado Hospital in Netanya.
Four pregnant women with coronavirus have been hospitalized at Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak in recent days, one of them giving birth. The four needed respiratory support but did not receive oxygen.