Healthcare workers' attitudes about vaccination of pregnant women and those wishing to become pregnant

Abstract

Objectives: We designed an electronic query that was distributed to healthcare workers in order to evaluate their attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination of women that wish to conceive and those that are pregnant. Methods: An electronic survey was designed and distributed through a network of 5.654 e-mails. The query was uploaded in Google Forms. Results: Overall, 1,226 answers were retrieved. Ninety percent of respondents replied that they prescribe COVID-19 vaccination in women that wish to conceive, however, the rate falls to 80% for those that have schedules for imminent artificial reproductive techniques. Approximately 1 in 2 physicians (obstetricians and pediatricians) suggests that a delay in assisted reproduction following immunization is not recommended. At least 13% of women of reproductive age and 30% of women wishing to conceive with ART declined to do so according to respondents, report. Only 75% of respondents favored immunization during pregnancy and of those 48% responded that vaccination could be done in all trimesters of pregnancy. Approximately 40% of women decline; however, to receive vaccination. Conclusions: Despite the directions provided by international organizations; physician and patient hesitancy towards vaccination during pregnancy (and particularly the first trimester) remains an issue that deserves further attention.