Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Pregnant Mothers in Qom, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Women during pregnancy are high risk for contracting coronavirus disease 21019 (COVID-19), and vaccination is probably the best way to prevent it during this period. This study aims to survey perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination among Pregnant Mothers in Qom, Iran. Methods: This is a qualitative study using the content analysis approach, Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information. Participants were 22 pregnant mothers living in Qom city who were eligible for vaccination, but had not yet been vaccinated. Results: The results of content analysis led to the extraction of three main themes: vaccine acceptance (lack of knowledge and awareness, lack of trust in news, advice from others), vaccine safety (unknown side effects of vaccine on the mother and the fetus/newborn), and vaccine effectiveness (effectiveness of the vaccine for the mother and the fetus/newborn). Conclusion: The pregnant mothers in Qom avoid COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy due to the lack of knowledge and awareness, lack of trust in the news, and advice from others. They are also worried about the unknown side effects of the vaccine on the mother, the fetus or newborn and have no knowledge of the effectiveness of the vaccine for the mother, the fetus or newborn.