What factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
What factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
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.
Covid-19, Experiences, Pregnancy, Qualitative research, Vaccination
Parsons, Dr Jo
3f262188-2f2e-4f9b-918f-30f7c45a11a3
Grimley, Dr Cath
8c41a650-a4b2-41a8-932f-6b2e1a26a4f3
Atherton, Professor Helen
9bb8932e-7bb7-4781-ab97-114613de99b1
Clarke, Louise
7708ad54-5c98-4a2b-b9b9-ba3221810f67
Hillman, Dr Sarah
420a28f6-fc83-4fd0-9206-94c4b8575ab8
Bick, Professor Debra
128f89d6-4793-403e-9930-22126346a13f
July 2024
Parsons, Dr Jo
3f262188-2f2e-4f9b-918f-30f7c45a11a3
Grimley, Dr Cath
8c41a650-a4b2-41a8-932f-6b2e1a26a4f3
Atherton, Professor Helen
9bb8932e-7bb7-4781-ab97-114613de99b1
Clarke, Louise
7708ad54-5c98-4a2b-b9b9-ba3221810f67
Hillman, Dr Sarah
420a28f6-fc83-4fd0-9206-94c4b8575ab8
Bick, Professor Debra
128f89d6-4793-403e-9930-22126346a13f
Parsons, Dr Jo, Grimley, Dr Cath, Atherton, Professor Helen, Clarke, Louise, Hillman, Dr Sarah and Bick, Professor Debra
(2024)
What factors influence the uptake of vaccinations amongst pregnant women following the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.
Midwifery, 134, [104021].
(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.
Text
1-s2.0-S0266613824001049-main
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 28 April 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 29 April 2024
Published date: July 2024
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
Keywords:
Covid-19, Experiences, Pregnancy, Qualitative research, Vaccination
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 491101
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/491101
ISSN: 0266-6138
PURE UUID: 002dd92d-295f-426b-872c-93fa5420de95
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 11 Jun 2024 23:58
Last modified: 13 Jul 2024 02:11
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Dr Jo Parsons
Author:
Dr Cath Grimley
Author:
Professor Helen Atherton
Author:
Louise Clarke
Author:
Dr Sarah Hillman
Author:
Professor Debra Bick
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics