Comparison of attitudes toward routine maternal vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant patients in an urban safety-net setting

Margaux Zimmerman; Lesly P Zapata; Karla Bachiller; Jean L Devera; Taylor A Hall; Sharon M Casey; Natalie Pierre-Joseph; Rebecca B Perkins

doi:10.1016/j.jnma.2023.04.003

Comparison of attitudes toward routine maternal vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant patients in an urban safety-net setting

J Natl Med Assoc. 2023 Aug;115(4):362-376. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.04.003. Epub 2023 May 18.

Authors

Margaux Zimmerman¹, Lesly P Zapata², Karla Bachiller¹, Jean L Devera¹, Taylor A Hall³, Sharon M Casey², Natalie Pierre-Joseph⁴, Rebecca B Perkins⁵

Affiliations

¹ Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
² Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
³ Graduate of Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 775 Albany St, Dowling Buidling, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: rbperkin@bu.edu.

Abstract

Objective: To explore attitudes toward tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), influenza, and COVID vaccines among English- and Spanish- speaking pregnant individuals in a safety net setting.

Methods: Pregnant people aged 18 years or older were recruited from outpatient clinics between August 2020 and June 2021. Interviews were conducted via phone in English or Spanish, recorded, transcribed, and translated verbatim. Data were qualitatively analyzed using modified grounded theory and content analysis.

Results: 42 patients participated (22 English-speaking, 20 Spanish-speaking). Most participants expressed positive attitudes towards both routine prenatal vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccines, endorsing the belief that vaccines promote health and considering vaccines a social norm. Positive attitudes were similar for the three vaccines, and among Spanish- and English-speaking individuals. Participants trusted their healthcare provider's recommendations and felt comfortable receiving booster doses of vaccines they had received successfully in the past. Vaccine concerns differed by each vaccine. Despite limited knowledge, few participants expressed concerns about Tdap vaccines. Concerns around influenza vaccines often stemmed from personal experience and centered around ineffectiveness and increased risk of flu-like illnesses. Participants expressed the most concerns related to COVID vaccinations, including misinformation about serious side effects and distrust around accelerated approval of the vaccines. Many participants wished to know more about the side effects and safety of vaccinating during pregnancy, especially regarding the fetus's health.

Conclusions: Most participants supported routine prenatal vaccinations, including COVID vaccines. Clinicians are trusted information sources and can help reinforce positive attitudes and social norms of receiving vaccinations in pregnancy while addressing vaccine-specific concerns.

Funding: This work was supported by Suzanne Cutler Vaccination Education & Research Fund at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine for funding and support.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pregnancy; Routine vaccines; Vaccine attitudes; Vaccine hesitancy.