Factors influencing uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in Australia : A cross-sectional survey

Journal article


Javid, Nasrin, Phipps, Hala, Homer, Caroline, de Vries, Bradley, Kaufman, Jessica, Danchin, Margie and Hyett, Jonathan. (2023). Factors influencing uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in Australia : A cross-sectional survey. Birth. 50(4), pp. 877-889. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12741
AuthorsJavid, Nasrin, Phipps, Hala, Homer, Caroline, de Vries, Bradley, Kaufman, Jessica, Danchin, Margie and Hyett, Jonathan
Abstract

Background
Mounting evidence shows the risk of COVID-19 on perinatal outcomes, as well as the safety and efficacy of vaccination during pregnancy. However, little is known about vaccine uptake among pregnant women in Australia, including women who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and about sources of information pregnant women use when making decisions about vaccines. We aimed to determine the proportion of pregnant women who had been vaccinated and to identify factors associated with vaccine uptake or decline during pregnancy.

Method
A cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey was conducted from October 2021 to January 2022 in two metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

Results
Of 914 pregnant women, 406 (44%) did not speak English at home. Overall, 101 (11%) received a vaccine prepregnancy and 699 (76%) during pregnancy. In the nonvaccinated cohort, 87 (76%) declined vaccination during pregnancy. The uptake was more than 87% among women during pregnancy who received information from government or health professional websites but 37% when received from personal blogs. The main reasons for vaccine uptake were (1) hearing that COVID-19 affects pregnant women, (2) being concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak, and (3) receiving vaccine recommendation from a general practitioner. In a multivariable logistic regression, three main factors associated with declining or feeling unsure about vaccination were (1) concerns about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, (2) lack of trust and being unsatisfied with the information received about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, and (3) doubting the importance of COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion
Clinicians play a critical role in counseling women to alleviate vaccine fear, support vaccine acceptance, and direct women to use reliable information sources, such as government and professional healthcare organizations, for information about vaccines.

KeywordsCOVID-19; pregnancy; survey; vaccine
Year2023
JournalBirth
Journal citation50 (4), pp. 877-889
PublisherWiley Periodicals LLC
ISSN0730-7659
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12741
PubMed ID37431957
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85165053593
Page range877-889
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online11 Jul 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted09 Jun 2023
Deposited04 May 2025
Additional information

© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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