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RSV Vaccination Intention Among People Who Are or Plan to Become Pregnant
Jennifer K Saper1,2,3, Marie Heffernan2,3, Norma-Jean E Simon2
1Division of Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care.
Insights
Most pregnant individuals are likely to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) if they perceive it as a serious infant illness. Increasing awareness of RSV
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant health risk to young infants, leading to hospitalization and long-term complications.
- New preventive strategies, including maternal vaccination, are recommended to protect infants from severe RSV illness.
- Current uptake rates for RSV vaccination during pregnancy are below optimal levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the interest in and likelihood of receiving the RSV vaccine among pregnant individuals or those planning pregnancy in the U.S.
- To identify key factors influencing vaccination decisions for RSV during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- A national online survey was conducted in March 2023 with 1619 participants (ages 18-45) who were pregnant or planning pregnancy.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of RSV vaccination likelihood, controlling for sociodemographic variables.
- Perceptions of RSV severity and likelihood of infection were assessed.
Main Results:
- Out of 1528 analyzed surveys, 54% of respondents reported being "very likely" to get vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy.
- Perception of RSV as a serious illness was the strongest predictor of vaccination intention.
- Predicted "very likely" vaccination rates were 63% if RSV was perceived as serious and likely, 55% if serious and unlikely, and 35% if not serious (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Enhancing public awareness regarding the potential severity and likelihood of RSV infection in infants is crucial.
- Targeted communication strategies emphasizing RSV's risks can effectively promote vaccine uptake among pregnant individuals.
- Increased awareness may improve vaccination rates, thereby protecting vulnerable infants from severe RSV disease.
Objectives:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pediatric infection, with young infants being at the highest risk of hospitalization and long-term sequela. New preventive agents have been recommended to prevent severe RSV illness in infants, including a vaccine administered during pregnancy. The current rates of recommended vaccination in pregnancy are suboptimal. Our objective was to characterize interest in RSV vaccination during pregnancy among people across the United States who were pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Methods:
In March 2023, we conducted a national cross-sectional online survey of individuals 18 to 45 years old who were currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant on their perceptions of RSV-related illness and intentions to get vaccinated against RSV. We performed logistic regression analyses to determine the odds and predicted proportions of the likelihood of RSV vaccination during pregnancy, controlling for sociodemographic factors.
Results:
Of 1619 completed surveys, 1528 were analyzed. 54% of respondents indicated that they were "very likely" to get vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy. The perception of RSV as a serious illness was the strongest predictor of vaccination likelihood. In the full regression model, predicted proportions of "very likely" to vaccinate against RSV followed a similar pattern (63% if RSV infection was perceived as serious and likely, 55% if serious and unlikely, 35% if not serious; P < .001).
Conclusions:
Raising awareness of RSV infection as likely and potentially serious for infants may be an influential component of targeted communications that promote RSV vaccine uptake during pregnancy.
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