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COVID-19

Declining Trust in Immunizations Among Pregnant Women

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

According to a recent study published in the journal Ginekologia Polska, despite robust scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccinations, trust in immunizations among pregnant women has been declining. The study aimed to present women's attitudes towards vaccinations against pertussis, influenza, and COVID-19 during pregnancy, their knowledge of the subject, and their motivations for getting vaccinated. The research found that pregnant women's primary motivation for vaccinating was to protect their children from severe cases of pertussis, influenza, or COVID-19. However, a significant proportion of women cited the belief in the lack of necessity for vaccination as a reason for not getting vaccinated.

Key Takeaways:

  • A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to postpartum women hospitalized at the Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Cracow, Poland, between February and April 2023.
  • The primary motivation for vaccinating during pregnancy was to protect their children from severe cases of pertussis, influenza, or COVID-19 (96.4%).
  • Among the reasons for not getting vaccinated against pertussis and influenza during pregnancy, most patients cited the belief in the lack of necessity for vaccination (42.9%, 34.3% respectively), and in the case of COVID-19 - receiving the vaccine before pregnancy (27.6%).
  • Obstetricians provided information about recommended vaccinations only to 49.3% of respondents.
  • 64.2% of surveyed patients expressed a willingness to vaccinate their child in the future with both mandatory and recommended vaccines.
  • The study found a crucial role for physicians, especially obstetricians, in providing patient information while underlining undeniable benefits of maternal vaccination to the children's health.

Statistics:

  • 96.4% of surveyed patients indicated that their primary motivation for vaccination during pregnancy was to protect their children from severe cases of pertussis, influenza, or COVID-19.
  • 42.9% and 34.3% of patients cited the belief in the lack of necessity for vaccination as a reason for not getting vaccinated against pertussis and influenza, respectively.
  • 27.6% of patients cited receiving the vaccine before pregnancy as a reason for not getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • 49.3% of respondents reported receiving information about recommended vaccinations from their obstetricians.
  • 64.2% of surveyed patients expressed a willingness to vaccinate their child in the future with both mandatory and recommended vaccines.

Sources:

  • Pregnant women's knowledge of and attitudes toward pertussis, influenza and COVID-19 vaccination. Ginekologia Polska, 2025.
  • Via Medica, Ul Swietokrzyska 73, 80-180 Gdansk, Poland.
  • Gabriela Mierzwa, Dept. of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland, Poland.

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