Pregnant women's needs regarding the Tdap vaccine: Insights from Reddit discussions

Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is essential to protect the fetus, yet the vaccination rate in the United States remains suboptimal. Little is known about pregnant women's perspectives or the factors that influence their Tdap vaccination decisions. Given that many pregnant women turn to social media and online sources for health information, this study aims to analyze social media posts from Reddit to better understand the needs of pregnant women regarding the maternal Tdap vaccine. This qualitative study analyzed the posts from Reddit collected from October 2020-2023. After screening, 86 posts were included for analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted. Four key themes emerged: information seeking, vaccine hesitancy, regulation and public policy, and concerns related to contact with newborns. Pregnant women actively sought information to clarify concerns and better understand healthcare providers' advice. Some reported a lack of vaccine recommendations from providers, and inconsistent recommendations for the vaccination timing by the providers. Vaccine hesitancy and refusal were also expressed. In addition, confusion arose around policies recommending Tdap for family members and close contacts, leading to interpersonal conflict and resistance. Many posts described pushback from family members. Pregnant women face multifaceted needs and challenges related to vaccine information, policies, and emotional support. Healthcare providers should initiate the vaccine recommendation with clear information, considering the patients' literacy and address concerns. Additionally, public health agencies and professional organizations should prioritize promoting the maternal Tdap vaccine by supporting access, including cost coverage.