Milwaukee, April 14, 2022 – A survey of 295 pregnant persons investigated the attitudes and beliefs associated with receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. The study provides valuable information that can be used to develop strategies to reduce vaccine hesitancy in pregnant persons.

The study, “Attitudes and Beliefs Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy,” was published in JAMA Network Open on April 14, 2022.

According to the article:

“Our study identified 2 beliefs directly associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake during pregnancy: (1) concerns about long-term effects of the vaccine and (2) belief in the ability of the vaccine to pass immunity to the infant. Our findings highlight important factors that could be targeted by interventions to address vaccine hesitancy in pregnant people. For example, local and national health campaigns can provide real-time access of pregnant people and their health care clinicians to the growing scientific evidence demonstrating transplacental and breastmilk antibody transfer following COVID-19 vaccination. It is also important to continue research maintaining vaccination in pregnancy registries and publish data on long-term health outcomes of vaccinated pregnant people and their infants.”

MCW researchers involved in the study are Yiwen Cui, MD, Kole Binger, BS, Anna Palatnik, MD, of Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin.

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