The Covid-19 booster remains the best way to protect against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both mother and baby, the Malta College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MCOG) said.

In a statement, it said that, in line with the European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it recommends COVID-19 vaccination in women who are trying to conceive or are pregnant or breast feeding.

One out of three pregnant women who have Covid develop symptoms including cough and fever. Global figures show that pregnant women are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant women.

Data has shown that over 95% of Covid positive women who need hospital admission and admission to intensive care are not vaccinated.

At the beginning of this pandemic, pregnant women were being shielded due to national restrictions, however this may not be the case today. The unvaccinated pregnant woman is therefore at greater risk.

Data gathered since the start of the pandemic has not raised any safety concerns regarding the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant women, it said.

“Similar to other non-live vaccines, Covid vaccines and boosters cannot cause infection to the baby. Evidence from other non-live vaccines has been gathered over many years and has not raised any safety concerns. We understand that this is an anxious time. Making a decision on vaccination is not easy but taking the vaccine and the booster is safer for the mother and the baby. Reliable evidence-based information is available in ‘sites’ of the above International Colleges, but if you are still worried, please discuss with your doctor.”