SARS-CoV-2 variants and pregnant Women: A cause for Concern?

ABSTRACT

During pregnancy, women are at an increased risk of getting sick from respiratory viruses and when compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women are more susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19. Owing to this fact and the emergence of a more infectious COVID-19 variants, pregnant women are currently classified as a vulnerable population, along with pediatric patients and older adults. While scientists are still learning more about the new variants, it is becoming clear that COVID-19 infected pregnant women are also at a real increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, as premature birth and babies born with lifelong health issues are possible if people become infected during pregnancy. Added to these facts, recommendation for COVID-19 has largely varied globally. The conspiracy-laden information on social media has led to pregnant women being hesitant about getting COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, as the transmissibility of COVID-19 is higher with this variant and the health system for maternal care in many countries regarded as "very bad" there is need to clearly highlight the impacts of the variants and for countries to speed up vaccination programme to reach all members of society.