ONE in five of the most critically ill Covid patients is an unvaccinated pregnant woman, shock data reveals.
Many expectant mums are being put in induced comas in hospital after avoiding the jab over safety fears.
The NHS is today urging them to get protected as critical care units start to fill up.
Data shows that one in five Covid patients on therapy called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) are pregnant.
ECMO is used only when a patient’s lungs are so damaged by Covid that a ventilator cannot maintain oxygen levels.
A third of all women between the ages of 16 and 49 on ECMO are pregnant, up from just six per cent at the start of the pandemic, March 2020.
Claire Bromley spent a month in an induced coma after turning down the vaccine.
The 33-year-old was admitted to hospital in early July with breathing difficulties and a positive Covid test.
Claire was put into an induced coma and onto a ventilator, but her condition deteriorated.
She was moved to a London hospital where the clinical team managed to save her and the baby, who it was feared would need to be born prematurely at just 26 weeks.
Claire was allowed home on August 4. Her baby is now doing well and is due to be born soon.
Claire of Sittingbourne, Kent, said: “I completely understand the hesitation not to get vaccinated when you are growing a child inside you.
“And after experiencing two miscarriages before the pandemic, the fear of being pregnant again with the worry of Covid was sending my anxiety through the roof.
“But after what happened, I can honestly say that the risk of not having the Covid vaccine far outweighs any doubts about having it.”
Scientific studies have shown Covid vaccines are safe for pregnant women.
Data from more than 100,000 vaccinations in pregnancy in England and Scotland, and a further 160,000 in the US, show no subsequent harm to the foetus or infant.
England’s top midwife Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent said: “The Covid jab can keep you, your baby and loved ones safe and out of hospital.
“You can receive vaccination at any time in pregnancy, but the risks that unvaccinated pregnant women face of becoming severely unwell if they catch Covid-19 show exactly why we advise you to do so as soon as possible.”
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives have both recommended vaccination for mums-to-be.
Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “There is robust evidence showing that the vaccine is the most effective way to protect both mother and baby against the possibility of severe illness from Covid-19.
“The disproportionate number of unvaccinated pregnant women in intensive care demonstrates that there is a significant risk of severe illness from Covid-19 in pregnancy.”
“We want to reassure women that there is no link between having the vaccine and an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth.”
Britain recorded 34,574 Covid cases yesterday — up from 30,439 the previous Sunday.
A further 38 deaths were reported — down from 43 a week earlier.
