Facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnancy

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake in ethnically diverse pregnant women: a qualitative study

• IRAS ID

  312878

• Contact name

  Mohammad Sharif Razai

• Contact email

  mrazai@sgul.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  St George's University of London

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A, N/A

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 6 months, 6 days

• Research summary

  Background:
  COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on pregnant women - particularly in those unvaccinated against COVID-19- with much higher mortality hospitalisation and death rates compared to reproductive-aged women in the population. Vaccine uptake is particularly low among some ethnic minority groups in the UK. Vaccination is an effective strategy in mitigating the risk in pregnancy. We urgently need to understand the factors that cause vaccine reluctance, hesitancy and refusal, and how to facilitate engagement with vaccination programmes.

  Aims:
  To explore in-depth ethnically diverse pregnant women's perspective and experiences of COVID-19 vaccinations and its implications for COVID-19 vaccination, other routine vaccines, parallel health areas and future pandemics.

  Methods:
  We aim to conduct in depth telephone interviews using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Interviews will be
  conducted by a Research Assistant and Healthcare professionals. Patients will be recruited using purposive sampling
  in socially and ethnically diverse general practices and hospitals in London. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis. Data on age, sex, occupation, co-morbidities, previous vaccination status, geographical location, country of birth, education level will be also be obtained. Data collection will be ended when data saturation is reached, and no novel concepts are arising. Data will be analysed inductively, informed by thematic analysis, using NVIvo 12 and a comprehensive lists of codes developed by the researchers.

  Outcomes:
  In depth qualitative data on reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and facilitators for increasing the uptake of the
  vaccine.

• REC name

  Wales REC 4

• REC reference

  22/WA/0091

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 Apr 2022

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion