Pregnant women have been urged to get the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible given their higher than average case fatality rate.
In a post on social media today, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner informed that there have been 191 cases of Covid-19 among pregnant women in the district since April of which 11 resulted in death. This is a fatality rate of 5.76 per cent, which is three times the overall fatality rate of 1.84 per cent for the whole population during the same period.
Pregnant women were initially excluded worldwide from getting the jab as it had not been widely tested on them. However, after it proved to be safe in the general population, vaccine tests were extended to pregnant women and have been shown to be safe and effective for them as well.
During the first wave of the coronavirus only 54 cases of the disease were seen among pregnant women and the fatality rate then was 1.8 per cent, compared to 1.02 per cent for the whole population. The significant increase in fatality rate means that it is more important than ever for expecting mothers to get the jab.
The DC also informed that there are greater numbers of Covid cases among children during the second wave, with 4,940 recorded infections since April in East Khasi Hills, compared to 1,133 in the first wave. Thankfully, children continue to remain at low risk of death from the disease, with just 14 Covid-related fatalities in all, equating to 0.23 per cent.
