The supply is there. So why can’t pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural India get the COVID-19 vaccine?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001321
• Publication Date: 2022-12-06T19:08:39Z
• Authors: Nadia G. Diamond-...; Preetika Sharma; Mona Duggal; Navneet Gill; Jagriti Gupta; Vijay Kumar; Jasmeet Kaur; Pushpendra Singh; Katy Bradford Vos...; Alison M. El Ayadi
• Keywords: and promotion of well-being; Economics; Social Sciences; Reproductive health and childbirth; FOS: Health sciences; Pediatrics; Social psychology; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Psychological intervention; Psychology; Global Maternal and Child Health Outcomes; Pediatric; 360; Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Pregnancy Outcomes; Vaccination; Obstetrics and Gynecology; 3. Good health; FOS: Psychology; Environmental health; 3.4 Vaccines; Health; Medicine; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Infection; Research Article; Family medicine; Population; Immunology; Breastfeeding; Nursing; Vaccination in Pregnancy; Vaccine Related; 03 medical and health sciences; Clinical Research; Health Sciences; Economic growth; Prevention; FOS: Clinical medicine; Health care; Harm; Prevention of disease and conditions; Good Health and Well Being; Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health; Factors Affecting Vaccine Hesitancy and Acceptance; Immunization; Generic health relevance

Despite COVID-19 vaccines being available to pregnant women in India since summer 2021, little is known about vaccine uptake among this high need population. We conducted mixed methods research with and recently delivered rural northern India, consisting of 300 phone surveys 15 in-depth interviews, November 2021. Only a third respondents were vaccinated, however, half unvaccinated reported that they would get vaccinated now if could. Fears harm the unborn baby or young infant common (22% women). However, who wanted most barrier was their health care provider refused provide them vaccine. Gender barriers social norms also played role, family members restricting women’s access. Trust system high, often getting information from sources did not trust, knew potentially poor-quality information. Qualitative data shed light on faced providers but described how as more people got changing. These findings highlight have lower vaccination rates than general population, while hesitancy does play structural limit access vaccines. Interventions must be developed target household decision-makers at community level, take advantage trust already government. It essential think beyond level when addressing missed opportunity vaccinate risk setting.