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Factors affecting the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine in the postpartum period
Deniz Oluklu1, Sule Goncu Ayhan1, Dilek Menekse Beser1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Postpartum women show low COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, with most citing safety concerns. Targeted communication is crucial to increase vaccination rates in this population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Immunology
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses significant global health risks.
- Vaccination during the postpartum period is vital for maternal and infant protection against COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among postpartum women.
- To identify reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the postpartum population.
- To explore differences in vaccine acceptance between high-risk and low-risk pregnancy groups.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 412 postpartum women at Ankara City Hospital.
- Data collection involved face-to-face questionnaires between February 11, 2021, and March 21, 2021.
Main Results:
- Only 33.3% of postpartum women accepted the COVID-19 vaccine; 66.7% refused.
- Primary reasons for refusal included insufficient information on postpartum vaccine safety (76%) and perceived ineffectiveness (32.4%).
- High-risk pregnancy (HRP) women differed significantly in their views on vaccinating infants, seeking recommendations for puerperal women, and anxiety about SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusions:
- Despite recommendations for breastfeeding mothers, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the postpartum period is low.
- Concerns regarding vaccine safety are the main barrier to COVID-19 vaccination in this demographic.
- Understanding vaccine acceptance factors is essential for developing effective communication strategies and healthcare policies.
Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, causing massive morbidity and mortality. Vaccination during puerperium protects both the mother and the newborn and is important to keep the pandemic under control.
Methods:
Women who gave birth at Ankara City Hospital between February 11, 2021 and March 21, 2021 were included. Data were collected through a face-to-face questionnaire.
Results:
We asked 412 postpartum women were surveyed about their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine; 137 (33.3%) of them wanted to be vaccinated, while 275 (66.7%) of them did not want to be vaccinated. Reasons for vaccination rejection; 209 (76%) of them stated that there was not enough information about the safety of the vaccine for the postpartum period, and 89 (32.4%) of them thought that the vaccine would not be effective for the disease. Three of the answers in the survey were found significantly different in high-risk pregnancy (HRP) group compared to low-risk pregnancy (LRP) group; 1) Having their babies to be vaccinated, 2) To be vaccinated if it will be recommended to the puerperal women, and 3) Feeling anxious about being infected by SARS-CoV-2 (p < .05).
Conclusions:
Health authorities recommend the COVID-19 vaccine to breastfeeding mothers. However, a relatively low vaccination acceptance rate was observed in the present study. For newly developed vaccines, concern over vaccine safety is the biggest obstacle to vaccine administration. Therefore, the reasons that influence acceptance or refusal of vaccines are important for developing targeted communication strategies and healthcare policies.
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