Perceptions and concerns of pregnant and breastfeeding women regarding COVID-19 vaccines

Although vaccination against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the most important ways to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination recommendations for pregnant women and breastfeeding are not consistent.

German researchers recently conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional online survey of pregnant and breastfeeding German women between March 30 and April 19, 2021. The aim of the study was to explore the attitudes of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Germany with regard to vaccination against COVID-19. The survey looked at attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and the underlying reasons for these attitudes. The investigation also assessed anxiety related to symptomatic progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The research article is published in the journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Participants in the survey, which was administered via soscisurvey.de, were recruited through gynecologists, midwives and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

At the time of recruiting participants, only around 10% of the German population was vaccinated, and only people aged 70 or over, people belonging to specific risk groups such as hospital and medical staff, and people with co-morbidities were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women in Germany were not officially eligible for COVID-19 vaccination when participants were recruited.

Results show that breastfeeding women were more willing to receive vaccines than pregnant women

A total of 2,339 women responded to the survey; 1,043 of these were pregnant and 1,296 were breastfeeding at the time of the survey. More than 57% of pregnant women did not have a favorable attitude towards the vaccination, 28.8% were not sure and only 13.8% responded positively to the vaccination at the time of the completion of the vaccination. ‘investigation. However, more than 47% of women said they would support receiving the vaccine if they had more scientific evidence on the safety of the vaccine in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding women were more willing to be vaccinated than pregnant women with 39.5% of breastfeeding women in favor of vaccination, 32.5% not in favor and 28.1% uncertain.

According to the survey, willingness to be vaccinated was significantly related to women’s anxiety levels about being infected and developing Symptoms of covid19.

The main reasons for reluctance to vaccinate were the perception that vaccination-specific information and scientific evidence on vaccine safety is insufficient and the fear that vaccines could harm the fetus or infant.

Willingness of the group of pregnant women to be vaccinated against COVID-19. At the time of recruitment, the minority (13.8%) would decide to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, when asked if they would be vaccinated if a scientific study provided evidence that the vaccination was safe, 47.2% of the sample of pregnant women would decide to be vaccinated.

Results highlight importance of vaccine safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women

The results show that almost 60% of pregnant women are not in favor of vaccination at the time of the survey, which is in line with the results of a similar study carried out among pregnant women in Italy in January 2021.

More importantly, survey responses show that many pregnant women hesitant to get vaccinated would be ready to get vaccinated if more evidence was provided on the safety of vaccines in pregnant women. This underlines the importance of scientific studies on the safety of vaccines and efficiency in pregnant women.

The willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines depends significantly on the group. Fewer women in the pregnant group would decide to be vaccinated than women in the breastfeeding group.

Although the acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccination among breastfeeding women is higher than among pregnant women, a large number of breastfeeding women were also not sure whether or not in favor of receiving the vaccine.

The main reasons for vaccine reluctance in both groups were the perceived lack of sufficient information about the vaccines and the limited scientific evidence on the safety of vaccines in their groups. Women in both groups were also concerned that the vaccine would harm their offspring.

According to the authors, healthcare professionals should educate pregnant and breastfeeding women about the benefits and risks of vaccines to protect them from complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

“Studies have found an increase in anxiety and levels of pregnant women during the pandemic, highlighting the psychological impact of the pandemic on this sensitive group. “

Additionally, in the breastfeeding group, data shows that the higher the anxiety about COVID-19, the higher the acceptance of the vaccine. In addition, breastfeeding women at high risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 had higher vaccine acceptance.

In the group of pregnant women, it is interesting to note that vaccine acceptance was not associated with serious risk factors for COVID-19. In conclusion, the results of the investigation could have important implications for obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic and official recommendations and information strategies on COVID-19 vaccination.

“The results presented here underscore the need for scientific studies that show the safety of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant and lactating women in order to increase acceptance and confidence in vaccination. “