Suitable but requiring support: How the midwifery model of care offers opportunities to counsel the vaccine hesitant pregnant population

Wendy Pringle; Devon Greyson; Janice E Graham; Ève Dubé; Hana Mitchell; Marie-Ève Trottier; Robyn Berman; Margaret L Russell; Shannon E MacDonald; Julie A Bettinger

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.055

Suitable but requiring support: How the midwifery model of care offers opportunities to counsel the vaccine hesitant pregnant population

Vaccine. 2022 Sep 9;40(38):5594-5600. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.055. Epub 2022 Aug 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Vaccine Evaluation Center, University of British Columbia, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada. Electronic address: wendy.pringle@bcchr.ubc.ca.
² Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Integrative Learning Center, 650 N Pleasant St, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: devon.greyson@ubc.ca.
³ Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Ave, C-309, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4H7, Canada. Electronic address: Janice.Graham@dal.ca.
⁴ Quebec National Institute of Public Health, 945, av Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 5B3, Canada. Electronic address: eve.dube@inspq.qc.ca.
⁵ Vaccine Evaluation Center, University of British Columbia, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, UBC Faculty of Medicine, Rm 2D19, 4480 Oak Street, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada. Electronic address: hmitchell@bcchr.ca.
⁶ Quebec National Institute of Public Health, 945, av Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 5B3, Canada. Electronic address: marie-eve.trottier@inspq.qc.ca.
⁷ Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre, 2260 Walkley Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 6A8, Canada. Electronic address: rb434177@dal.ca.
⁸ Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada. Electronic address: mlrussel@ucalgary.ca.
⁹ Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: smacdon@ualberta.ca.
¹⁰ Vaccine Evaluation Center, University of British Columbia, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, UBC Faculty of Medicine, Rm 2D19, 4480 Oak Street, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada. Electronic address: jbettinger@bcchr.ubc.ca.

PMID: 35989134
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.055

Abstract

Uptake of vaccination during pregnancy in Canada is lower than comparator countries. A recommendation from a trusted perinatal healthcare provider is a key opportunity to promote vaccine uptake and improve confidence. This study aims to identify barriers and opportunities to vaccination in midwifery care. Seventeen semi-structured telephone interviews with practicing midwives, educators and public health professionals with immunization training experiences were conducted. Documents pertaining to the midwifery profession (approx. 50) were reviewed. Inductive thematic analysis identified logistical, interprofessional, and information barriers preventing Canadian midwives from administering vaccines and counseling clients about vaccination, as well as opportunities to address each barrier. Key interventions at the level of logistics, training, and client information materials would help address barriers to the integration of midwives into the provision and recommendation of vaccines in perinatal care across Canada.

Keywords: Influenza; Midwifery; Pertussis; Pregnancy; Vaccine confidence; Vaccine hesitancy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Canada
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Influenza Vaccines*
Midwifery*
Pregnancy
Vaccination / psychology

Substances

Influenza Vaccines

Grants and funding

IMM-151 599/CIHR/Canada