COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance in pregnant women

Abstract

Objective To determine vaccine acceptance and hesitancy attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines in pregnant women. Methods Three hundred pregnant women were surveyed face to face with 40 questions. Sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination history, perception of risk for the COVID‐19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and acceptance of and attitude toward future COVID‐19 vaccination were prospectively evaluated. Results Among all participants, 111 (37%) stated their intent to receive the vaccine if it were recommended for pregnant women. Most common refusal reasons were lack of data about COVID‐19 vaccine safety in pregnant populations and possibility of harm to the fetus. There was a weak positive correlation between COVID‐19 vaccine acceptancy and number of school‐age children. Pregnant women in the first trimester expressed higher acceptance of COVID‐19 vaccination than those in the second and third trimesters. Conclusion The present study reported low acceptance of COVID‐19 vaccination in a sample of pregnant women. Concern about vaccine safety was the major reason for hesitancy. Identifying attitudes among priority groups will be useful for creating vaccination strategies that increase uptake during the current pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women During Pregnancy — Eight Integrated Health Care Organizations, United States, December 14, 2020–May 8, 2021

“…Pregnant women were excluded from preauthorization clinical trials, and only very limited human data on safety and efficacy during pregnancy were available at the time that the vaccines were authorized for use. Survey data before COVID-19 vaccine authorization showed low acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women, and the most frequently reported reasons for lack of intent to get vaccinated during pregnancy were limited safety data in pregnancy and concerns about possibility of harm to the fetus †† ( 8 , 9 ).…”

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among Women Who are Pregnant or Planning for Pregnancy in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…42 Previous studies investigating the acceptance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine have shown similar results. 30,40,[43][44][45] One study conducted in Turkey in 2021 reported a lower rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, with only 37% stating that they intend to receive the vaccine if it were recommended for pregnant women. 45 Similar results were reported in a large study that included 16 countries across the world, with only 52.0% of pregnant women reporting that they will take the vaccine compared to 73.4% of nonpregnant women.…”

“…30,40,[43][44][45] One study conducted in Turkey in 2021 reported a lower rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, with only 37% stating that they intend to receive the vaccine if it were recommended for pregnant women. 45 Similar results were reported in a large study that included 16 countries across the world, with only 52.0% of pregnant women reporting that they will take the vaccine compared to 73.4% of nonpregnant women. 30 These results can be explained by the fact that people have concerns regarding the effectiveness and the safety of the vaccine, especially that the vaccine was developed rapidly and received accelerated approval.…”

“…30 These results can be explained by the fact that people have concerns regarding the effectiveness and the safety of the vaccine, especially that the vaccine was developed rapidly and received accelerated approval. 45 A recent qualitative study among pregnant women in Spain assessing the acceptability of participating in COVID-19 clinical trials reported that participating women had limited knowledge about COVID-19 and were For personal use only.…”

“… 30 These results can be explained by the fact that people have concerns regarding the effectiveness and the safety of the vaccine, especially that the vaccine was developed rapidly and received accelerated approval. 45 A recent qualitative study among pregnant women in Spain assessing the acceptability of participating in COVID-19 clinical trials reported that participating women had limited knowledge about COVID-19 and were uncertain if pregnancy was a risk factor for acquiring the infection or developing the severe disease. 46 The same study showed that the low level of knowledge among pregnant women has led to uncertainties and emotional suffering, which ultimately affected their willingness to participate in drug-related clinical trials on COVID-19, regardless of the drug under study.…”