The RESILIENT Study Group

Maternal vaccination during pregnancy, in general and against COVID-19 infection, offers protection to both mother and baby, but uptake remains suboptimal. This study aimed to explore the perceptions regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, particularly for marginalised populations and those living with social or medical complexity. A total of 96 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 women, 15 partners, 21 HCPs, and 20 policy makers, across all four nations of the United Kingdom (UK), discussing their lived experience of utilising, delivering, or developing policy for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy during the pandemic. Three themes were derived: (1) historical and social context, (2) communication of information and guidance, and (3) appraisal and action. Together these captured the participants’ legacy of mistrust in drugs during pregnancy; prior positive experiences; concerns about missing information, conflicting information, or false information about COVID-19 vaccines; and confusing guidance for pregnant women. The final theme describes the participants’ behaviour and actions undertaken consequent to their experiences and the available information. The findings suggest efforts to improve COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy may be best focused on personalised communication of information. A trusting relationship and prior positive experiences with other vaccines, both in and outside of pregnancy, positively influenced perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccination rates are lower in women of reproductive age (WRA), including pregnant/postpartum women, despite their poorer COVID-19-related outcomes. We evaluated the vaccination experiences of 3568 U.K. WRA, including 1983 women (55.6%) experiencing a pandemic pregnancy, recruited through the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app. Two staggered online questionnaires (Oct–Dec 2021: 3453 responders; Aug–Sept 2022: 2129 responders) assessed reproductive status, COVID-19 status, vaccination, and attitudes for/against vaccination. Descriptive analyses included vaccination type(s), timing relative to age-based eligibility and reproductive status, vaccination delay (first vaccination >28 days from eligibility), and rationale, with content analysis of free-text comments. Most responders (3392/3453, 98.2%) were vaccinated by Dec 2021, motivated by altruism, vaccination supportiveness in general, low risk, and COVID-19 concerns. Few declined vaccination (by Sept/2022: 20/2129, 1.0%), citing risks (pregnancy-specific and longer-term), pre-existing immunity, and personal/philosophical reasons. Few women delayed vaccination, although pregnant/postpartum women (vs. other WRA) received vaccination later (median 3 vs. 0 days after eligibility, p < 0.0001). Despite high uptake, concerns included adverse effects, misinformation (including from healthcare providers), ever-changing government advice, and complex decision making. In summary, most women in this large WRA cohort were promptly vaccinated, including pregnant/post-partum women. Altruism and community benefit superseded personal benefit as reasons for vaccination. Nevertheless, responders experienced angst and received vaccine-related misinformation and discouragement. These findings should inform vaccination strategies in WRA.