Adherence to the recommended vaccination schedule for pregnant women in Southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors, including COVID-19 vaccination
2026· Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil· 0 citations· 22 references
TL;DR
Adherence to the recommended complete vaccination schedule during pregnancy was low, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine, except for COVID-19 and influenza.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of adherence to the complete vaccination schedule recommended for pregnant women by the National Immunization Program of the Ministry of Health and the reasons for non-vaccination in a referral maternity hospital in southern Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with postpartum women at a referral maternity hospital in southern Brazil (July-December 2023). Sociodemographic, obstetric, and vaccination data were obtained through structured interviews and verification of medical records and prenatal cards. Results: a total of 342 postpartum women were included. The mean age was 28.4 years; 73.7% were White, 57.0% were single, and most had formal education. Overall, 99.1% attended prenatal care and 94.7% had ≥6 prenatal visits. Only 20.8% had a complete vaccination schedule, and the vaccine with the lowest acceptance was the COVID-19 vaccine. Incomplete vaccination schedules were independently associated with younger maternal age and not receiving vaccination counseling. Conclusions: adherence to the recommended complete vaccination schedule during pregnancy was low, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine. Maternal age under 35 years remained an independent factor associated with non-adherence to the complete vaccination schedule and to COVID-19 vaccination. Prenatal vaccination counseling acted as a protective factor, being associated with higher adherence to recommended vaccines, except for COVID-19 and influenza.
Adherence to the vaccination schedule among children younger than one year was insufficient, highlighting the need to strengthen educational interventions for parents, improve access to vaccination services, and implement strategies that promote timely childhood immunization in primary healthcare settings.
Mejia Chiquinquira, Pina Alberto· Journal of Family Medicine a...· 0 citations
Strengthening obstetricians’ guidance, promoting non-injectable influenza vaccines, and delivering targeted health education are important strategies to improve vaccination uptake in this population of women to inform evidence-based policy interventions.
Peipei Liu, Yanfang Min, Chunmei Cai et al.· Human Vaccines & Immunothera...· 0 citations
Maternal influenza vaccination (MIV) is the most effective measure of preventing severe influenza-related complications in pregnant women. However, there is limited knowledge about MIV uptake in Kuwait. This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding MIV uptake and provision in Kuwait. A cross-sectional, hospital-based study using a self-administered electronic questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP FLU) questionnaire was conducted among 272 pregnant and recently delivered women attending governmental maternity hospitals and antenatal clinics in Kuwait between October 2022 and January 2023. Only 22 participants (8.1%) reported receiving MIV during their current or most recent pregnancy. Although most participants recognised that influenza infection could have serious consequences during pregnancy, only 8% met the predefined threshold for adequate knowledge regarding MIV. Healthcare professionals demonstrated significantly higher knowledge of influenza infection than participants from other professions (
p
= 0.012), while younger participants had significantly greater knowledge of MIV (
p
= 0.023). No significant associations were identified between participant characteristics and MIV uptake. Participants recognised healthcare provider recommendation as an important factor influencing vaccination decisions, although many reported not receiving such a recommendation during pregnancy. Knowledge of maternal influenza vaccination and vaccine uptake were low among pregnant women in Kuwait. These findings highlight opportunities to strengthen antenatal education and encourage healthcare providers to consistently discuss and recommend maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Further studies with larger samples are needed to identify independent predictors of vaccine uptake.
Fatemah Alhendyani, Louise Hayes, Laura Lindsey et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases, including hepatitis B, tuberculosis (TB), and tetanus, due to their occupational environment. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, vaccination coverage among HCWs remains suboptimal in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the vaccination coverage for hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and tetanus among HCWs in district hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon, and to identify factors associated with incomplete vaccination. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January to June 2024 across all seven district hospitals in Yaounde. A total of 406 HCWs were enrolled using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Incomplete vaccination status was defined as nit having received three doses for hepatitis B, at least two doses for TB, and at least three doses for tetanus. Data were analyzed using R Statistics version 4.3.3. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of incomplete vaccination, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Most of participants were female (75.6%) and aged 30-44 years (65.5%). Full vaccination coverage was 36.2% for hepatitis B, 15.8% for tuberculosis, and 53.4% for tetanus. Unvaccinated proportions were 43.1% for hepatitis B, 0.5% for tuberculosis, and 17.2% for tetanus. Multivariate analysis revealed that HCWs aged 55-66 years were significantly less likely to be incompletely vaccinated against hepatitis B compared to those aged 19-29 years (aOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01-0.39; p = 0.004). Nurses and laboratory technicians were more likely to be incompletely vaccinated than doctors (aOR = 7.06; 95% CI: 3.82-13.6; p < 0.001 and aOR = 3.78; 95% CI: 1.73-8.52; p = 0.001, respectively). Longer professional experience was protective against incomplete vaccination for all three vaccines (p < 0.05). The main barriers to vaccination included high cost, doubts about the need for vaccination, and concerns about side effects. Conclusions: Vaccination coverage for hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and tetanus among HCWs in Yaounde remains suboptimal, particularly for hepatitis B. Addressing financial barriers, improving access to vaccines, and implementing targeted educational interventions are essential to enhance vaccine uptake and protect both HCWs and their patients from preventable occupational infections.
A. Nouko, F. Z. Cheuyem, F. Nguefack et al.· medRxiv· 0 citations
Aims: Vaccine hesitancy remains a major challenge in public health, particularly among pregnant women, who represent a high-risk group for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine acceptance and to identify factors related to vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women. This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending routine antenatal care clinics at a tertiary healthcare center.Methods: Pregnant women who voluntarily consented to participate were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, presence of chronic disease, history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination status, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. During pregnancy, vaccinated and unvaccinated groups were compared using appropriate statistical techniques.Results: A total of 249 pregnant women were included. The overall acceptance rate of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was 47.4%. No statistically significant differences were observed between vaccinated and unvaccinated women in terms of age, education level, employment status, income level, obstetric characteristics, presence of chronic disease, or history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (p>0.05). Gestational age was significantly higher among unvaccinated women compared with vaccinated women (p
Bilge Doğan Taymur, G�ldeniz Toklucu· Journal of Health Sciences a...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination was introduced into Japan's routine immunization program in April 2026. This study examined vaccine acceptance and household-level factors, including co-residing partner awareness and support, immediately before program introduction.
METHODS
We conducted a nationwide web-based cross-sectional survey of pregnant women at 28-36 weeks of gestation and their co-residing partners from March 13 to 19, 2026. Paired data were obtained from 100 household pairs through the Rakuten Insight panel. The primary outcome was positive maternal RSV vaccine acceptance, defined as being vaccinated, planning vaccination, or intending vaccination. Associated factors were examined using logistic regression.
RESULTS
Detailed awareness of the maternal RSV vaccine was higher among pregnant women than partners (66.0% vs. 22.0%). Among women with detailed awareness, 72.7% showed positive acceptance. Within-household agreement on detailed RSV and maternal RSV vaccine awareness was low (κ = 0.144 and κ = 0.220, respectively), with discordance mainly reflecting pregnant woman-only awareness. In multivariable analysis, partner support for vaccination (adjusted OR 11.17, 95% CI 3.66-34.07) and detailed partner awareness (adjusted OR 4.98, 95% CI 1.13-21.92) were independently associated with positive acceptance.
CONCLUSIONS
Partner support and awareness were independently associated with maternal RSV vaccine acceptance, although partner awareness was substantially lower than pregnant women's awareness. Implementation strategies should include co-residing partners as key participants in household decision-making.
