The CDC is urging coronavirus vaccines for pregnant people

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer, and today in healthcare news:

• The CDC wants pregnant people to get the coronavirus vaccine urgently;
• More from our interview with CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, including a message for people who think the pandemic isn't a big deal;
• Doctors share what it's like inside Austin hospitals right now as they reach capacity.

If you're new to this newsletter, sign up here. Comments, tips? Email me at lramsey@insider.com or tweet @lydiaramsey125. Let's get to it...

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, saying it has 'never been more urgent'

• The CDC said all pregnant people should be vaccinated as the Delta variant spreads.
• Pregnant people have low vaccine uptake rates, but a higher risk of complications from COVID-19.
• New evidence shows no safety risks among vaccinated pregnant people. Clinical trials are ongoing.

Find out more>>

Think the pandemic isn't a big deal? That the government is using it to gain power and control? CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has a message for you

• Some Americans think the pandemic isn't a big deal.
• They view mask rules and vaccines as ways the government is trying to control their lives.
• The CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, wants those Americans to have more chats with more people.

Read more from the interview>>

'It's like a bomb blew up': Doctors in Texas grapple with treating COVID patients in hospitals where ICU beds are in the single digits

• The rise in cases in Texas has led hospitals to nearly reach full capacity.
• The new wave in COVID-19 cases amid the spread of the Delta variant resulted in as little as six empty ICU beds in the city of Austin.
• Doctors working in the Texas capital told Insider about their experience working in hospitals overwhelmed with patients.

Here's a look inside>>

More stories we're reading:

• This map shows the risk COVID poses to every single US state. It puts Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida at 'severe'. (Insider)
• Anti-aging researcher Aubrey de Grey has been accused of sexual harassment by 2 anti-aging experts (Endpoints)
• The cannabis industry says Cuomo's resignation could speed up marijuana sales in New York (Insider)
• The VA is declining to cover Biogen's new Alzheimer's drug (Stat News)

- Lydia