New study reveals only one in three pregnant women in Wales were vaccinated against COVID-19

A new study led by researchers at Swansea University has revealed that potentially only one in three pregnant women in Wales actually had the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, even though two in three said they would have the jab.

The National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research, funded by Health and Care Research Wales in collaboration with Bristol Medial School and Public Health Wales, conducted a study to find out:

1. COVID-19 vaccination rates among pregnant women in Wales and their association with age, ethnicity and area of deprivation.
2. Pregnant women’s views on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy.

The survey’s main findings suggest that almost 70% of pregnant women would be happy to receive a vaccine during pregnancy to protect themselves and their babies. On the other hand, 31% of participants indicated they would not have the vaccine during pregnancy, listing various reasons for refusal such as inconsistent advice/ information and health-related anxiety.

Professor Kieran Walshe, Director of Health and Care Research Wales said: 

Research of this kind is crucial to deepening our understanding of people and the way they interact with the healthcare options available to them. Study findings help inform and support policy makers and healthcare providers to identify gaps in uptake, giving them the opportunity to find solutions that serve as many people as possible, particularly more vulnerable groups.”