Explaining the Reasons for Not Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine during Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study

During the outbreak of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, pregnant women and their fetuses are among high-risk groups, and vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent some infectious diseases. However, there is little information about the attitude of pregnant women, their husbands, and health service providers regarding receiving COVID-19 immunization. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to explain the reasons for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy.

The present research was conducted in the framework of a qualitative approach and with the method of inductive content analysis in 2022. 29 participants including pregnant women, their spouses and, health service providers were selected with purposeful sampling and a maximum diversity participant selection strategy. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. Data analysis was done manually by the Granheim and Lundman method.

The data analysis led to the emergence of 367 codes, 10 subcategories, and 3 main categories ("Incorrect performance of the health system", " Attitudes, opinions, beliefs " and "fears and uncertainties").

Knowing the obstacles to vaccine injection helps implement effective interventions for optimal immunization coverage. It will be possible to inform pregnant women with the cooperation and strong role of midwives and gynecologists based on new and scientific documents and emphasizing the safety, effectiveness, efficiency, and role of the vaccine in reducing the mortality of pregnant mothers and even neonates until the acceptance of vaccination in similar crises will increase among pregnant women as one of the most dangerous groups in the society.