COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in perinatal women: a cross sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives To explore attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination among perinatal women. Methods A nationwide online, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Qatar from 15th October 2020 to 15th November 2020 with voluntary participation open to all adult residents. Of the respondents, the population group for this study comprised the 341 pregnant and breastfeeding participants. The survey utilized a composite questionnaire incorporating a validated instrument to measure vaccine attitudes. The responses were recorded and analysed with statistical analysis being performed with SPSS software. Outcome measures included intentions towards vaccination and potential factors influencing vaccine hesitancy (contextual factors, vaccine specific concerns and group/individual influences). Results Perinatal women exhibited a vaccine hesitancy rate of 25% towards COVID-19 immunisation. The main concerns of the group were of infection risks and main factor determining vaccine hesitancy was of vaccine specific safety concerns. Previous vaccine “acceptors” showed vaccine hesitancy to COVID-19 immunisation. A third of the group cited non availability of the vaccine as a concern. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccine trials amongst pregnant and lactating women have lagged behind those for general populations and this has compounded concerns around safety in this special group. Perinatal women constitute a vulnerable group and play an important role in vaccination of wider family members. This study highlights the need for trials and data for COVID-19 vaccine in this group to be able to achieve appreciable numbers needed for herd immunity and ultimately control of the pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the Younger Generation in Japan

“…Historically, Japan is a country with lower vaccine confidence and higher vaccine hesitancy [ 17 , 18 ]; therefore, these results are not surprising but rather provide specific evidence of how vaccine hesitancy varies by gender and age. The current study results are consistent with the findings of previous studies on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Japan [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] and other countries [ 5 , 9 , 10 , 19 , 20 , 26 ].…”

“…Many countries have experienced higher vaccine hesitancy among younger generations, slowing the progress of vaccination programs [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Moreover, in many countries, vaccine hesitancy has been found to be higher among younger women [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Global evidence of intergenerational and intergender differences in vaccine hesitancy makes it necessary to closely examine the vaccine status in Japan.…”

“…Globally, there have been a large number of studies within a limited time on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among younger adults [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 19 , 20 ], including some with evidence of vaccine hesitancy among younger people in Japan [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Although these studies demonstrated higher vaccine hesitancy among younger adults in Japan, the magnitudes of hesitancy were somewhat different, possibly due to differences in the timing of data collection and definitions of vaccine hesitancy.…”

“…Although evidence of higher vaccine hesitancy among younger people and women is evident, neither the Yoda and Katsuyama nor the Machida et al study investigated socio-economic covariates of vaccine hesitancy across gender-and age-based subsamples [ 22 , 23 ]. A comprehensive study on vaccine hesitancy in Japan among gender- and age-based subsamples is needed, as data from other countries show variance among younger adults in terms of vaccine hesitancy and the reasons associated with hesitancy [ 5 , 9 , 10 , 19 ].…”

Trust in God and/or Science? Sociodemographic Differences in the Effects of Beliefs in an Engaged God and Mistrust of the COVID-19 Vaccine

“…First, drawing from the large literature at the intersection of science and religion, we ask whether beliefs in an engaged God predict a lack of trust in the COVID-19 vaccine. Second, recognizing that this pattern is unlikely to be consistent across sociodemographic characteristics, which themselves also predict attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine (Mohan et al, 2021 ; Olagoke et al, 2021 ; Piltch-Loeb et al, 2021 ; Sallam, 2021 ; Viswanath et al, 2021 ) and are linked with beliefs in God’s causal influence over daily life (Bonhag & Upenieks, 2021 ; Hayward et al, 2017 ; Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990 ; Schieman, 2010 ; Schieman & Jung, 2012 ), we consider how race, gender, and social class (education) may moderate the association between beliefs in an engaged God and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. For the disenfranchised members of American society, the belief in an engaged, involved God may lead them to freely draw on a limitless source of power that they can cede control to, including over their health and risk of COVID-19 infection.…”