COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance of Pregnant Women in Thailand

Abstract

Bornpavi Nirunrungraung, Worashorn Lattiwongsakorn,* Wirawit Piyamongkol* Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Worashorn Lattiwongsakorn; Wirawit Piyamongkol, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: This study investigated the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among pregnant women in Thailand and explored factors influencing their willingness to receive the vaccine, to enhance vaccine uptake among hesitant pregnant women in the future.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand, in October 2022. The data was collected using face-to-face questionnaires comprising 29 closed-end questions. Pregnant women aged 18 years old or over visiting the antenatal care clinic were included.Results: The study included 200 participants, revealing a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 17%. Healthcare provider recommendations significantly increased vaccine acceptance by nearly two-fold (30.77%, p-value < 0.01). The major cause of vaccine hesitancy was the concern about vaccine safety that potentially harmed their babies (77.44%).Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among pregnant women in Thailand was low. Healthcare provider recommendations played a pivotal role in positively impacting vaccine acceptance, highlighting their importance in increasing acceptance rates in the future.Plain Language Summary: This study investigated the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among pregnant women in Thailand and explored factors influencing their willingness to receive the vaccine. The study included 200 participants, revealing a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 17%. Healthcare provider recommendations significantly increased vaccine acceptance by nearly two-fold (30.77%, p-value < 0.01). The major cause of vaccine hesitancy was the concern about vaccine safety that potentially harming their babies (77.44%). The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among pregnant women in Thailand was low. Healthcare provider recommendations played a pivotal role in positively impacting vaccine acceptance, highlighting their importance in increasing acceptance rates in the future.Keywords: COVID-19 disease, COVID-19 vaccine, pregnant women, vaccine acceptance, vaccine hesitancy

Keywords

• covid-19 disease
• covid-19 vaccine
• pregnant women
• vaccine acceptance
• vaccine hesitancy