Perceptions and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Amongst Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

Introduction

This study aims to characterize attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and to evaluate factors associated with vaccine uptake amongst pregnant individuals.

Methods

An anonymous survey was distributed to a convenience sample of pregnant individuals receiving prenatal care at two large urban academic hospitals in a single healthcare network in Massachusetts. Individual demographic variables were included in the survey along with questions assessing attitudes towards COVID-19 and vaccination in pregnancy.

Results

Of 477 respondents, 233 (49.3%) had received or were scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Age, White race, non-Hispanic/LatinX ethnicity, working from home, and typical receipt of the influenza vaccine were associated with COVID-19 vaccination. 276 respondents (58.4%) reported that their provider recommended the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy; these participants were more likely to have received a vaccine (OR 5.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.68-9.26). Vaccinated individuals were less likely to be worried about the effects of the vaccine on themselves (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.12-0.27) or their developing babies (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.11-0.26). Unvaccinated individuals were less likely to report that it is easy to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.93), to travel to receive a vaccine (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.10-0.36), and to miss work to receive a vaccine (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.18-0.48).

Conclusions

Strategies are needed to improve patient education regarding vaccine side effects and safety in pregnancy and to change policy to make it feasible for pregnant patients to schedule and miss work without loss of pay to get vaccinated.

Key Points

• There were racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination.

• Unvaccinated respondents were more likely to be concerned about vaccine effects for themselves or their growing babies.

• Unvaccinated respondents cited work and scheduling-related barriers to vaccination, indicating areas for advocacy