Perception of covid-19 vaccine in pregnant women

Background: Vaccine safety scares, whether factual or fabricated, can erode confidence and reduce coverage. Acceptance of vaccination during pregnancy is likely to raise specific questions and concerns among pregnant women. The effects of vaccination on the placenta and foetus and physiological changes in pregnancy make pregnant women a specific population that may respond differently to vaccination. These uncertainties must be considered in order to assess the benefit-risk balance and to make the most appropriate choice for pregnant patients at increased risk of severe COVID-19 [1]. Hence this study was conducted to study the prevalence of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women and to find out hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women. Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted among 83 Pregnant women by using   Convenience Sampling method at Terna Medical Hospital. The questionnaire was prepared and validated. Participants were asked whether or not they would agree to be vaccinated against Covid 19 and why. Analysis was done by SPSS version (20.0) by applying chi square test. Results: 94% were aware about the existence of COVID 19 Vaccination and 93.9% accepted getting vaccinated against COVID 19. 6.1% didn’t agree for vaccination. The top three reasons for pregnant women to decline COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy even if the vaccine were safe and free were that: 1.Do not want to expose their developing baby to any possible harmful side effect 2.afraid of side effects to themselves 3. Had insufficient knowledge about vaccine. Conclusion: To increase vaccine acceptance, locally-specific vaccine programs are needed in population. Vaccine education campaigns should emphasize the pandemic as a whole and its impact on communities, rather than limiting to vaccine safety and effectiveness.