COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary care hospital of India

Background: Despite opinions regarding safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, they are approved for pregnant women. However, little is known about attitudes and perception of pregnant women toward COVID-19 vaccination. Objective: To find out COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, its predictors, and perceptions, among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary care hospital of India. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 pregnant women during 2021 using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire consisting of vaccination, obstetric history, and perception about COVID-19 vaccination. Those who took at least one dose of vaccine was considered vaccine acceptor. Chi-square test was performed to check association with independent variables for vaccine-acceptors and nonacceptors. Results: About 126 (70%) women were vaccine-acceptors and 54 (30%) were nonacceptors. Higher proportion of vaccine-acceptors were noted among those aged >20 years (P = 0.003), with previous pregnancy loss (83.3%) and problem in conceiving (71.4%), working mothers (72.7%), lower socioeconomic status (71.1%), and lower literacy (71.2%). Favorable attitudes toward COVID vaccine were present in most of the participants (72.8%). 74.6% of vaccine acceptors and 61.1% nonacceptors agreed to take vaccine on recommendation of health-care provider (P = 0.009). Significantly higher proportion of acceptors (43.7%) agreed to recommend another mother to take vaccine than nonacceptors (24.1%) (P=- 0.044). Significantly higher proportion of acceptors (84.9%) agreed to get vaccinated with precautionary dose if vaccination camp is organized (P = 0.039). Conclusion: A high level of vaccine acceptance was seen mostly because of the trust on health-care providers. Targeted efforts are required for health-care workers and public regarding vaccine literacy.