SUBSCRIBE
Wed, Jun 29, 2022
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi
No Result
View All Result

Pregnant and under 35? Sorry, you won’t be jabbed soon

by Chris Bateman
2nd Aug 2021
in Trending
Reading Time: 8 mins read
A A

Most pregnant women in South Africa will have to wait at least another month for a potentially life-saving Covid-19 jab. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

Most pregnant women in South Africa will have to wait at least another month for a potentially life-saving Covid-19 jab.

Deputy director-general in the department of health, Dr Nicholas Crisp. Photo: Twitter

That is because in terms of the country’s vaccination rollout protocols and progress, unless a pregnant woman is 35 years and older, and/or helping deliver essential government services, she will only be eligible for vaccination from 1 September when the programme opens up to people aged 18 to 35.

Dr Nicholas Crisp, national vaccination rollout coordinator and deputy director-general in the department of health, says adding pregnant women to existing special priority groups will be too complicated – and take three weeks or more.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There are no priority groups for any medical conditions and adding pregnant women as a priority group would be too complicated. It’s taken that long to set up each of the public sector programs, so it’s basically pointless to add a group that’s difficult to identify,” he says.

Higher mortality risk

Spotlight interviewed three experts in obstetrics and gynaecology. They, plus the SA Society for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, are calling for all women of reproductive age to be vaccinated as soon as possible and to seek proper monitoring and care in the meantime.

ADVERTISEMENT

They cite a study of 400 000 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 in the United States which showed that this group had a 70% higher risk of death than pregnant women without SARS-CoV-2. Crisp, however, questioned what the risk was for their non-pregnant counterparts when compared to the average 60-year-old or a patient on renal dialysis, for example.

‘Pregnancy is not an illness – there are another 45 lobby groups pushing for us to accelerate things.’ – Dr Nicholas Crisp

Professor Salome Maswime, an associate professor and head of the global surgery division at the University of Cape Town says too many pregnant women are dying from severe Covid-19-related disease or because they couldn’t access care in time or both. “There’s no clear or direct messaging for women in the public domain,” she says.

Call to prioritise pregnant women

Both Maswime and Professor Priya Soma-Pillay, head of department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, believe Covid-19 is creating a generation of orphans in South Africa. They called for women of reproductive age to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccination alongside police, teachers and healthcare workers. They say that they are seeing more and more pregnant women in their third trimester with Covid-19 being admitted to ICUs, with many dying.

UCT Head of global surgery, Prof. Salome Maswime. Photo: Discovery

“We already have a large orphan base because of Covid so putting mothers at risk of dying, (i.e. sans vaccination), could lead to a generation of orphans in South Africa,” says Professor Pillay.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crisp is however clear that pregnant women will not be prioritised at this point in the rollout. “The transplant surgeons, the renal dialysis physicians and the multiple sclerosis society, amongst others, are also clamouring for early spots,” he says.

‘Pregnancy is not an illness – there are another 45 lobby groups pushing for us to accelerate things.’

It’s too complex logistically. It will be far better to open access to a younger age group than to try and select clinical priorities.”

Current advice

A 11 June 2021 advisory from the ministerial advisory committee on Covid-19 stated, among others, “Covid-19 vaccination is strongly encouraged for non-pregnant women contemplating pregnancy, Covid-19 vaccines using the Pfizer or the J&J vaccine should be offered to all pregnant women, and Pregnant women with co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy should be prioritised for vaccination should vaccine supplies be limited.”

Professor Priya Soma-Pillay, is had of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Photo: UP

Additionally, the experts Spotlight spoke to, agreed with the following advice for women planning to get pregnant or already pregnant:

  • if a woman is thinking of getting pregnant, she should first get vaccinated because the vaccine also confers protection on the foetus.
  • any woman of reproductive age should get the jab as soon as possible, provided they are not in their first trimester of pregnancy (i.e. the first 14 weeks).
  • If pregnant, and everything else is fine and you have no concerns or symptoms, get vaccinated in the third trimester.

They explain that the first-trimester advice is no different to general guidance – i.e. to avoid taking all non-essential medicines in the first trimester because of the risk, (although extremely low), of birth defects while the child is forming in the womb.

Soma-Pillay says that while no hard data exists to explain why so many women were succumbing to Covid-19 in their third trimester, severe Covid-induced illness and hospitalisation of this cohort was well documented in the United Kingdom.

“If you look at our early data and the UK, women in the last trimester tend to be admitted to ICU (with Covid-19), needing ventilation,” she says. Asked what the current hypothesis is for this, she says speculation is that the gravid uterus (i.e. the expanded womb carrying the child), impinges on the mother’s lung capacity.

ALSO READ: ‘Breast milk is most superfood of all’

Greater risk to mothers than infants

Maswime stresses that all current guidelines for Covid-19 vaccines in South Africa declare them safe for pregnant women and women of reproductive age with very little data showing any possibility of the virus being vertically transmitted to the unborn child if the mother becomes infected.

‘We’re more afraid of women dying of severe disease than we are of unborn babies getting Covid.’

The emphasis should be on preventing the mother [from] getting COVID in the first place, which is where our call for vaccination comes in,” she adds.

Professor Mushi Matjila, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital and a member of the receptor biology unit at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine at UCT, says the chances of an unborn child being infected with Covid-19 was minimal, with studies estimating it at between three and four percent.

Matjila cites a major Canadian study last year comparing 348 600 births examined pre-pandemic with more than 67 000 during the pandemic (first and second waves). Published in the Journal of American Medicine, JAMA, it covered preterm births, stillbirths, admissions to neonatal ICU admissions and neonatal deaths and found no difference in adverse outcomes to infants attributable to vertical transmission.

For a good overview of the evidence regarding Covid-19 and pregnancy see this umbrella review in the journal PLoS ONE.

Indirect effects

As for the adverse effects of Covid-19 itself on pregnant women, he cautioned that one had to distinguish between the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic.

Prof Mushi Matjila, associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital. Photo: Discovery

“There’s no doubt that the indirect effects on health system disruption have impacted very negatively on maternal and perinatal outcomes, especially in middle income and low-and-middle-income countries where these are much more palpable,” he says.

Matjila, who serves on the national health research committee, the ministerial advisory committee on research for health, and chairs the policy and strategy subcommittee of the NHRC, cites data from the District Health Information System. Published late last year and covering the first Covid-19 wave and the start of the second, it reveals an increase in maternal deaths, compared to the same period pre-Covid-19.

Research published in the SA Obstetrics and Gynaecology Forum for which Soma-Pillay was the co-principal investigator, shows a 30% increase in maternal deaths during South Africa’s first Coronavirus surge to July 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

Stillbirths and unwanted pregnancies rose during the study period as access to clinics and contraception were sharply reduced by lockdown and a general fear of infection.

Plea to keep up clinic visits

Matjila pleads with women in South Africa to keep attending antenatal clinics which were being purposely kept open during the pandemic. “This is an absolutely essential service. You can close other non-essential services but not maternal neonatal and child healthcare services. Sometimes patients misinterpret that, thinking they shouldn’t go to the clinic. They should. If the baby is not moving or you are bleeding, don’t be afraid to go. Non-pregnant women also shouldn’t sit at home with problems. Don’t wait with symptoms, especially fever and respiratory symptoms as most patients present to hospital when it’s too late,” he says.

  • This article was written and first published by Spotlight, an online publication for in-depth, public interest health journalism. Click here to read the original article.

Tags: Covid-19Covid-19 vaccinedepartment of healthgynecologymaternal deathsnational vaccine rollout strategySouth African society for obstetrics and gynecologyvaccine rollout
Share130Tweet81Send
Previous Post

How to get your edible garden up and running

Next Post

Farmworkers, beware of ‘Facebook professors and pastors’

Chris Bateman

Chris Bateman

Related Articles

When is a disease deemed a global emergency?
Trending

When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

by The Conversation
29th Jun 2022
0

The world has come a long way since the outbreak of cholera in the mid-1900s, and so too have the International Health Regulations. When there is a disease outbreak, a number of...

Read more
Monkeypox: Disease experts give the true facts

Monkeypox: Disease experts give the true facts

28th Jun 2022
Tavern tragedy: Teen issues under the microscope

Tavern tragedy: Teen issues under the microscope

28th Jun 2022
Dance therapy: Dance and movement therapy offers a self-empowering mind-body approach to mental health treatment. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Dancing can help your brain, so get your groove on!

27th Jun 2022
Next Post
If farmworkers do not get the Covid-19 jab, it will place Mzansi’s food security at risk warns, Billy Claasen, executive director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Farmworkers, beware of ‘Facebook professors and pastors’

dad bod

Let's get real about the ‘dad bod’

Gauteng is fast approaching 2 million Covid-19 vaccinations in the province. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Covid-19: Any day now, Gauteng will clock 2m vaccinations

Stories

Finding a happy medium: Divorce vs co-parenting
Loyiso taps into liquid gold of extra virgin olive oil
Youth transform dumping site into thriving food garden
Winter: An ideal time to plant root veggies, take stock
Early pregnancy care essential for moms-to-be
Meet Mzansi’s Keto Queen, Sharney Blackway
Heart health: Keep your diet lean, clean and green
Yummy Meatless Wellington
No Result
View All Result

Categories

  • Choices (40)
  • Conversations (74)
  • Featured (1)
  • Grow It (52)
  • My Health (103)
  • Podcast (43)
  • Recipes (56)
  • Remedies (5)
  • Trending (274)

Recent

Olive vs vegetable oil: Soak up the best of both worlds

Olive vs vegetable oil: Soak up the best of both worlds

29th Jun 2022
When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

29th Jun 2022
Boost your iron levels with Mangale’s pap and spinach

Boost your iron levels with Mangale’s pap and spinach

28th Jun 2022
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy

cropped-H4M-Fetch-Shirts.jpg

Fetch Your Body Mzansi!

cropped-poster-2022-06-06T090553.304.jpg

Youth transform dumping site into thriving food garden

cropped-Untitled-design-28.jpg

Heart health: Keep your diet lean, clean and green

Olive vs vegetable oil: Soak up the best of both worlds

When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

Boost your iron levels with Mangale’s pap and spinach

Monkeypox: Disease experts give the true facts

Tavern tragedy: Teen issues under the microscope

Dancing can help your brain, so get your groove on!

No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

By continuing the use of our Website, you are explicitly and actively consenting to our processing of your personal information as per our Privacy Policy.
Cookie SettingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version
Finding a happy medium: Divorce vs co-parenting Loyiso taps into liquid gold of extra virgin olive oil Youth transform dumping site into thriving food garden Winter: An ideal time to plant root veggies, take stock Early pregnancy care essential for moms-to-be Meet Mzansi’s Keto Queen, Sharney Blackway Heart health: Keep your diet lean, clean and green Yummy Meatless Wellington