The STIKO does not want to vaccinate pregnant women despite an increased corona risk. The professional associations of gynecologists think that is wrong.
Munich – Pregnant women have an increased risk of getting seriously ill with Corona *. Although they are considered to be particularly at risk, they are not vaccinated as a priority in Germany. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) does not recommend vaccination. Eleven medical associations, including the professional association of gynecologists (BVF), demand that pregnant and breastfeeding women be given priority vaccination with an mRNA vaccine. This emerges from a joint press release on May 5th.
According to this, scientific studies made it clear that there is a high risk for mother and child during pregnancy. The probability that intensive medical treatment is necessary is six times as high for pregnant women as for non-pregnant women. Ventilation because of Covid-19 * is even necessary 23 times more often.
Corona vaccination of pregnant and breastfeeding women: professional associations only see advantages
“A COVID-19 vaccination is particularly important for this group, because pregnant women with the disease show a higher percentage of serious illnesses than non-pregnant women of the same age,” explains Christian Albring, President of the BVF, based on these findings.
The associations call for mRNA vaccines to be offered to pregnant women. In the USA, 4,700 pregnant women were observed after the Corona * vaccination. There was “not a single indication of increased complications, such as premature birth, malformations or growth restrictions in infants”.
“The evaluation of the scientific data shows us that vaccination of all pregnant women would be extremely useful. Because the risk of premature birth alone is up to 80 percent higher in women who test positive for COVID-19 than in healthy pregnant women. There are also numerous other risks for the unvaccinated, sick mother and her unborn child, ”says Anton Scharl, President of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics, making his point of view clear. A British research team has examined how much the risk of premature birth or stillbirth increases due to a corona infection.
Video: STIKO does not recommend corona vaccination for pregnant women
The associations also see positive effects for infants through breastfeeding. “Since it has been proven that antibodies formed by the vaccination are transported through the breast milk, breastfed newborns are protected by nest immunity,” explains Ekkehard Schleußner, from the German Society for Perinatal Medicine.
Corona vaccination in pregnancy: STIKO sticks to decision
In Germany, pregnant women are currently only vaccinated in individual cases. The STIKO does not currently recommend it, although study results have long indicated that the course of pregnancy is severe. It has long been known that there is an increased risk during pregnancy. The federal government has taken this into account in its Corona Vaccination Ordinance *. Every pregnant woman can name two close contact persons who can then be vaccinated in group 2 (higher priority).
The STIKO wrote in a press release on May 10th about the vaccination of pregnant women themselves: “So far there are no findings from controlled studies on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy. Based on the recently published observations from the USA alone, the STIKO will not make a general vaccination recommendation for pregnant women. After detailed medical information, an mRNA vaccine can be offered from the 4th month of pregnancy. The vaccines from Biontech * and Moderna * are mRNA substances. (lb) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
