What factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

Dr Jo Parsons; Dr Cath Grimley; Professor Helen Atherton; Louise Clarke; Dr Sarah Hillman; Professor Debra Bick

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2024.104021

What factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

Midwifery. 2024 Apr 29:134:104021. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.104021. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Dr Jo Parsons¹, Dr Cath Grimley², Professor Helen Atherton², Louise Clarke³, Dr Sarah Hillman², Professor Debra Bick⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK. Electronic address: Jo.Parsons@warwick.ac.uk.
² Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK.
³ University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, UK.
⁴ Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK.

PMID: 38703426
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.104021

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women and their unborn babies are at increased risk from serious complications, hospitalisation and death from infectious diseases. Vaccinations for influenza (flu), pertussis (whooping cough) and Covid-19 are available for free for pregnant women in the UK, but uptake of these repeatedly remains low. This qualitative study aimed to explore how pregnant women feel about these vaccinations, and what factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: Pregnant women were recruited via two participating hospitals in one geographic area of the UK, and via one community group offering support to pregnant women from ethnic minorities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely using telephone, were anonymised and transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings: Interviews were conducted remotely with 43 pregnant women. The following themes were identified as influencing uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women: internal factors and beliefs, vaccination related factors, external influences and Covid-19 and changing perceptions of the pandemic.

Discussion: Findings of this study increase awareness of some of the factors influencing vaccination decisions of pregnant women. It informs practice regarding healthcare professionals' discussions with pregnant women about vaccinations, and future vaccination campaigns and interventions that are targeting an increase in vaccination uptake amongst this population.

Keywords: Covid-19; Experiences; Pregnancy; Qualitative research; Vaccination.