COVID-19 vaccine uptake and intention during pregnancy in Canada

Abstract

Objective To investigate COVID-19 vaccine uptake and intent among pregnant people in Canada, and determine associated factors. Methods We conducted a national cross-sectional survey among pregnant people from May 28 through June 7, 2021 (n = 193). Respondents completed a questionnaire to determine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance (defined as either received or intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy), factors associated with vaccine acceptance, and rationale for accepting/not accepting the vaccine. Results Of 193 respondents, 57.5% (n = 111) reported COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Among those who did not accept the vaccine, concern over vaccine safety was the most commonly cited reason (90.1%, n = 73), and 81.7% (n = 67) disagreed with receiving a vaccine that had not been tested in pregnant people. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccine safety (aOR 16.72, 95% CI: 7.22, 42.39), Indigenous self-identification (aOR 11.59, 95% CI: 1.77, 117.18), and employment in an occupation at high risk for COVID-19 exposure excluding healthcare (aOR 4.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 18.60) were associated with vaccine acceptance. Perceived personal risk of COVID-19 disease was not associated with vaccine acceptance in the multivariate model. Conclusion Vaccine safety is a primary concern for this population. Safety information should be communicated to this population as it emerges, along with clear messaging on the benefits of vaccination, as disease risk is either poorly understood or poorly valued in this population.

COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and willingness among pregnant women in Italy

“…A striking observation in the results of this study was the very low number of women (21.3%) that claimed that they had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. A higher coverage has been observed in developed countries such as Japan with a value of 82.1% ( 26 ), Canada with 48.2% ( 27 ), New Zealand with 44% ( 28 ), whereas lower values of 20.8, 18.1, 10.5, and 1.2% have been found respectively in Israel ( 29 ), in Norway and Sweden ( 30 ), in the United Kingdom ( 8 ) and in Germany ( 31 ). Interestingly, very low uptake also of other recommended vaccines among pregnant women have been reported in the literature, including for example results from Italy with none having received tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine, and only 1.4% for influenza ( 32 ), and from Tunisia, France, United States, and Peru respectively with 4.6% ( 33 ), 7.4% ( 34 ), 10.3% ( 35 ), and 19% ( 36 ) for influenza.…”

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance during Pregnancy and Influencing Factors in South Korea

“…In this study, there was no significant difference in the educational levels between the acceptance and non-acceptance groups. The strongest predictors of vaccine acceptance included confidence in vaccine safety or effectiveness, and protecting their baby was the most common reason for acceptance and refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine in other pregnant populations, which were similar in the population of this study [ 27 , 39 , 40 ]. Other predictors in a survey from 16 countries were worrying about COVID-19, belief in the importance of vaccines to their own country, mask wearing compliance, trust in public health agencies, and attitudes towards routine vaccines [ 36 ].…”

“…In a previous multinational study including 5294 pregnant women, the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance level varied by country [ 36 ]. High acceptance rates over 60% were seen in Mexico, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and India; middle acceptance rates of about 45–60% were seen in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Canada; low acceptance rates below 45% were seen in the USA, Australia, Russia, and France [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. A lower educational level and lower income were associated with non-acceptance of COVID-19 [ 27 , 40 ].…”

Understanding the Influence of Web-Based Information, Misinformation, Disinformation, and Reinformation on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Protocol for a Multicomponent Study

“…The recruitment of parents will be facilitated through previous surveys by our research team, in which some participants agreed to be contacted for subsequent qualitative studies. Two pan-Canadian surveys were conducted among the general public and equity-deserving groups (ie, racialized people, newcomers, Indigenous people, and persons whose first language is not English or French) within Canada in December 2020 and in October and November 2021 [ 29 ]. We will use the results of the latest survey to identify parents who were unsure about having, or were unwilling to have, their 12- to 17-year-old children vaccinated against COVID-19 and invite them to participate in individual interviews.…”