An England-wide survey on attitudes towards antenatal and infant immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus amongst pregnant and post-partum women

Abstract

BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant morbidity. New immunisations to protect infants have been licensed in the UK including a vaccine in pregnancy and a monoclonal antibody injection in infants. The UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that either could be considered suitable for a national programme. We conducted a survey of pregnant women to understand acceptability and barriers to RSV immunisation. METHODS 73,734 women were emailed a Health Security Agency survey on decision making around maternal and baby health via a parent support organisation. The survey collected baseline demographics, expressed likelihood of accepting maternal vaccine or immunisation for their infant, and perceptions of potential barriers, using likert scales and free text questions. Eligibility criteria were: pregnant or with a child up to 6 months of age, living in England, 18 years or older. Responses were quantified descriptively; binary logistic regression was used to measure multivariable associations; thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data. RESULTS 1061 women completed the survey. Respondents were likely to accept maternal RSV vaccination (89.5 %, 95 % CI 87.5-91.3) or infant immunisation (81.4 %, 95 % CI 79.0-83.7). Multivariable analysis showed higher acceptability was associated with having a partner and possible association with ethnicity. No difference was observed by deprivation, or disability status on multivariable analysis. Participants most trusted midwives for information. CONCLUSION Maternal and infant RSV immunisations were both highly acceptable, supporting the roll out of either programme. Ongoing monitoring will support evaluation of programme implementation and equity of access.