COVID-19 Vaccination Booster Dose: Knowledge, Practices, and Intention among Pregnant/Planning to Get Pregnant and Lactating Women

Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, booster dose against COVID-19 was recommended for this special population in Jordan. However, vaccine hesitancy/refusal remains the main obstacle to providing immunity against the spread of COVID-19. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the intention of pregnant/planning to get pregnant and lactating women towards receiving a booster dose against COVID-19 and its associated factors. A questionnaire was given to Jordanian pregnant/planning to get pregnant and lactating females. A total of 695 females were enrolled in the study. Older age, having a chronic disease, high education, high income, and high perceived risk of COVID-19 were significantly associated with higher knowledge about COVID-19. High perceived risk of COVID-19 was significantly associated with better practice. Participants who anticipated they might contract COVID-19 in the next six months, had high perceived risk of COVID-19, had high knowledge, had received the COVID-19 vaccine based on conviction, and smokers had higher intention to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. In order to increase pregnant and lactating women's intention to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, public health organizations should consider developing comprehensive health education campaigns.

Automated summary

This study examines the intention of pregnant and lactating women towards receiving a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors. The findings suggest that factors such as older age, chronic disease, high education, high income, and high perceived risk of COVID-19 are associated with higher knowledge about COVID-19. Moreover, participants who anticipated contracting COVID-19, had high perceived risk, high knowledge, received the COVID-19 vaccine based on conviction, and were smokers expressed a higher intention to receive a booster dose of the vaccine.