COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance In Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, limited data existed regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women. As such, many pregnant women have reservations about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. However, pregnant women are of particular concern as they are considered a vulnerable population due to the increased risk of severe complications from COVID-19. This study investigates the willingness of pregnant patients to receive the vaccine before and after discussion with a health care provider. Methods: 124 pregnant women were surveyed from February to March of 2021 at a perinatal center. Patients were queried about their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before and after reading a fact sheet and discussing the vaccine's safety with a provider. Results: There was a statistically significant effect of discussing the vaccine with a physician regarding patients' willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, patients who received the annual influenza vaccine were significantly more likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: Pregnant women were more willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after discussion with a health care provider. The importance and impact of health education should be given special consideration in medical offices.

COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant people in the United States: a systematic review

“…Pregnant people's receipt of the influenza vaccine in the previous year and communication with a medical professional about vaccines were associated with increased likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. 45,52,55 In contrast, pregnant people's prior refusal of the seasonal influenza vaccine, 47,54 lack of provider counseling, 50 younger age, 45,48 African American race, 47,48,50,53,54 Hispanic ethnicity, 47,48,50,54 and low education 50 were associated with refusal of vaccination. Frequently cited concerns included safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination, fears of birth defects, unknown long-term health effects on children, and risk of pregnancy loss.…”

“…Eleven of the 32 (34%) studies (Figure 2) examined pregnant people's acceptance or uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] Overall, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates ranged between 3% and 65%. Studies conducted before the COVID-19 vaccine became available in the U.S. showed that 41% 54 and 47.80% 46 of pregnant people would be interested in receiving it.…”

The prevalence of COVID vaccine acceptance among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Pregnant mothers (64%) completed high school and above education were ready for the COVID vaccine [0.64(0.55, 0.73, I 2 = 98.90%, P = 0.001]. From the 15 studies estimated 4,6,16,19,21,22,25,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] the prevalence of COVID vaccine acceptance among educated pregnant women was reported highest (93%) 28 by Geoghegan and lowest (31%) 25 by Egloff. [Fig.…”

Developmental and reproductive toxicity of a recombinant protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine (ZF2001) in rats

“…Specifically, when compared with their non-infected pregnant counterparts, pregnant patients are threefold more likely than their infected nonpregnant counterparts to be admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and receive ventilator support or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and their mortality rate is higher in addition to the risk of obstetric complications, such as preterm birth in particular 11 – 13 . Given the increased risk associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy, many pregnant women have decided to accept the vaccine even though critical data on the benefits and risks in pregnant individuals have been lacking, making it imperative to include pregnant or lactating women in COVID-19 vaccine trials 14 .…”