AWARENESS & ACCEPTANCE OF COVID19 VACCINES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration of health of pregnant women and might affect the foetus also. Aim: To assess the awareness and factors inuencing the acceptance of covid19 vaccine among pregnant women Methodology: This study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KIMS, Bangalore over three months. The antenatal patients visiting the outpatient department were included in the study. Those who have received two doses of vaccination already were excluded. A well-constructed questionnaire about the various factors associated with the vaccine was provided to all participants. Results: 580 pregnant women participated in the study and completed the questionnaire.31.4 % belonged to high risk pregnancy group. 85 % believed that vaccines in India have adequate efcacy and 72.9% were aware that vaccines have been approved during pregnancy.84.7% were worried that the vaccine is harmful to the foetus. 45.9% said that they would agree to take the vaccine willingly. However, 72.2 % stated that they will be willing to take the vaccine if counselled for it by their doctor. 44.9% of participants were willing to take the vaccine if counselled by the doctor, at the initial month of the study, which increased to 84.9% of the participants enrolled during the third month of the study. Conclusions: Vaccination is the most promising means of controlling the spread of the corona virus pandemic. Effective counselling of antenatal mothers by health care providers plays a pivotal role in promoting vaccine acceptance. Over time with increasing awareness, the acceptance of the vaccine among pregnant women is likely to show a steeply rising trend.