COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women and the reasons for hesitancy: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey.

Background: On 9 June 2021, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommended that pregnant women receive Comirnaty (Pfizer) messenger RNA vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

Aim: This multi-centre study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance, reasons for hesitancy and determine if differences exist between health districts, to inform future policy strategies for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: An online survey (developed based on the World Health Organization Behavioural and Social Drivers survey and modified for the pregnant population) was administered to a sample population of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at two metropolitan hospitals (Westmead and Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH)) in New South Wales between 15 September 2021 and 22 October 2021.

Results: There were 287 pregnant women surveyed (Westmead 198 (69%), RNSH 66 (23%), no site 23 (8%)). There was a significantly lower Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas score (5.66 vs 9.45, P = 0.001), fewer women born in Australia (37% vs 53%, P = 0.02) and higher number of children (0.77 vs 0.41, P = 0.01) among Westmead respondents. There was lower vaccination uptake (68% vs 86%, P = 0.01) and willingness to receive vaccine (68% vs 88% P = 0.01) at Westmead compared to RNSH. There was an increased proportion of respondents who were concerned that the vaccine could cause harm to the unborn baby at Westmead (38% vs 11%, P = 0.01).

Conclusions: Along with healthcare provider recommendation for vaccination in pregnancy, materials should be targeted to specific safety concerns of pregnant women.