The Spectrum of Hesitancy in COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Pregnant Latinas on the United States-Mexico Border.

Abstract

As the COVID-19 vaccine became available, pregnant people from marginalized communities disproportionately delayed vaccination. Although the urgency of vaccination has subsided, COVID-19 infection during pregnancy continues to pose maternal and fetal risks. Interviews with 45 Latinas residing on the US-Mexico border who were pregnant during the first two years of the pandemic revealed varying degrees of hesitancy related to vaccination during pregnancy. Utilizing a spectrum of hesitancy to frame the analysis revealed patterns of delayed vaccination and how varying degrees of trust in medical authority contributed to these patterns. Understanding patterns driving vaccine uptake and delays can inform clinical practice.