Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning Maternal Immunization Among Pregnant/Postpartum Women and Health Care Professionals in Peru

Knowledge, willingness, and hesitancy toward recommended vaccinations among pregnant and post-partum women: A cross-sectional survey in Italy

The objectives of the cross-sectional survey were to examine knowledge, attitudes, and hesitancy among pregnant and post-partum women toward the recommended vaccinations and to identify determinants. The survey was conducted from July to September 2024 in Naples, Italy. Out of a total of 585 participants, 64.1% had been infected with at least one of the MMRV diseases and 47.3% had received MMRV vaccinations. Only 21.4% knew that MMRV vaccinations were recommended in the post-partum, and this was more frequent among healthcare workers (HCWs) or those who had a partner working in the healthcare sector and those with no history of MMRV infections. The overall mean Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) score was 24.1 and 43.6% were high-hesitant (score ≥ 25). Participants who had a higher level of education, with a non-Italian nationality, history of MMRV infections or pregnancy-related health problems, who were aware of the MMRV complications during pregnancy, who had a higher perception of knowledge about recommended vaccinations in the post-partum, who acquired information about recommended vaccinations in the post-partum from HCWs, and those who needed further information had higher odds of low hesitancy regarding the vaccinations recommended in the post-partum as measured by the VHS instrument. More than one-third expressed willingness to receive the MMRV vaccinations in the post-partum. Respondents with higher education, those who acquired information from HCWs, those who needed further information, and those not high vaccine hesitant were more willing to receive the vaccinations. The findings revealed an inadequate level of knowledge and a significant prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and public health efforts, and informative campaigns regarding the utility of the vaccinations in the post-partum are needed.

Country-Specific Data and Priorities for Pertussis in Latin America: Recent Findings From the Global Pertussis Initiative

In 2023, the Global Pertussis Initiative met to assess the burden of and vaccination policies against pertussis in 10 Latin American countries. Although pertussis is a notifiable disease in the represented countries, poor disease awareness, underrecognition in older individuals, and limited laboratory capacity and supplies challenge the collection of robust epidemiological data. Infants in all 10 countries receive a 3-dose primary series followed by ≥2 boosters. Except for Paraguay and Venezuela, governments of the represented countries advise or mandate vaccination in pregnancy; however, coverage rates remain suboptimal. Healthcare providers and the public should be educated on how mothers and other contacts can serve as asymptomatic carriers of Bordetella pertussis (transmitting disease to vulnerable infants) and of the potentially unique presentation of pertussis in adolescents and adults. The burden of pertussis in Latin America can be reduced by improving vaccination coverage of the primary series, increasing vaccination in pregnancy, and instituting universal vaccination of adults.

Attitudes and behaviors of maternal Tdap vaccination in Panama, Peru, and Colombia: An international cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Despite a recommendation by PAHO for Tdap vaccination in pregnant women since 2019, uptake remains suboptimal across Latin America. This study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of women towards maternal Tdap vaccination in Colombia, Peru, and Panama to identify the critical behavioral and social drivers of Tdap vaccine uptake during pregnancy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was undertaken between December 8, 2022, and January 11, 2023, targeting women in Colombia, Peru, or Panama with a child 12 months or under. We collected data on respondents' demographics, social and behavioral determinants of vaccine acceptance, determinants of vaccine uptake (using the validated 5As taxonomy), and previous vaccination experience.

RESULTS

In the 938 respondents who completed the survey (Panama, n = 325; Peru, n = 305; Colombia, n = 308), 73-80 % had received the influenza vaccine, whereas only 30-39 % had received a Tdap vaccine. Significant correlates of Tdap vaccine uptake common to all three countries included a health professional recommendation, knowledge of the vaccine and location of vaccination, perceived vulnerability to pertussis infection, perceived importance of immunization, and receipt of a reminder. In specific countries, nonvaccinated women were more likely to cite issues with ease of access (Panama, Colombia), affordability (opportunity costs; Peru, Colombia), and understanding the rationale for vaccination in pregnancy (Panama, Colombia).

CONCLUSION

To increase maternal Tdap vaccine uptake, health professionals should be encouraged to recommend vaccination consistently, and pregnant women should receive reminders explaining why and where to be vaccinated.