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Drivers of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among women of childbearing age in Victoria, Australia: A descriptive qualitative study.


ABSTRACT:

Objective

Women of childbearing age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, report higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, but reasons for this hesitancy are unknown. We explored factors influencing vaccine decision-making among women of childbearing age in Victoria, Australia to inform strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Methods

Twenty-four women aged 18-40 years were interviewed July-October 2021. Interview data were analyzed thematically using an inductive, constructivist approach.

Results

Of 24 participants, 14 (57%) were vaccine-hesitant, of whom 10/14 pregnant or breastfeeding. Six key themes were identified: weighing up perceived risks for self and baby; availability of information; change and contradictions; vaccination above everything; practical issues - hurdles of inconvenience. Vaccine-hesitant women's concerns included safety in pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility effects. Some participants expressed a loss of trust in healthcare providers following vaccine mandates.

Conclusions

Public health campaigns and communication should be tailored to address specific concerns to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake and prevent negative COVID-19 outcomes for women of childbearing age. Findings suggest that effective strategies to address hesitancy in this group may include providing robust short- and long-term safety data across fertility, birth outcomes and child development following COVID-19 vaccination. Other supportive strategies may include systemic changes like making childcare available at vaccination points (where practical), and using data linkage infrastructure to track post-vaccination outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Oliver J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9678207 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Drivers of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among women of childbearing age in Victoria, Australia: A descriptive qualitative study.

Oliver J J   Kaufman J J   Bagot K K   Bradfield Z Z   Homer C C   Gibney K B KB   Danchin M M  

Vaccine: X 20221121


<h4>Objective</h4>Women of childbearing age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, report higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, but reasons for this hesitancy are unknown. We explored factors influencing vaccine decision-making among women of childbearing age in Victoria, Australia to inform strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty-four women aged 18-40 years were interviewed July-October 2021. Interview data were analyzed thematically using an inductive, construc  ...[more]

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