The shift in COVID-19 vaccination policy for pregnant women, from restricted to required, and the confusion that ensued

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate the response of pregnant women when the COVID-19 vaccination policy shifted from restricted to required, and the confusion that ensued during pregnancy, bearing in mind that women undergo unique physiological and immunological changes during pregnancy, making them at risk of developing a more severe course of COVID-19 infection compared to their non-pregnant peers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the outpatient clinics at Jordan University Hospital for all pregnant women during the period of the survey from 1(st) October 2021 to 31(st) December 2021, focusing on the source of information about the vaccine, receiving the vaccine, and the reasons for rejecting the vaccine, especially during pregnancy. RESULTS: In total, 468 pregnant women were interviewed. The single primary source of information about the COVID-19 vaccine was the traditional media, audio-visual and print media being the most important as reported by 191 women (40.81%), while possible harm to the fetus was the single main reason for refusal of vaccination during pregnancy as reported by 111 women (23.72%). CONCLUSIONS: Reluctance toward vaccination is primarily driven by the fierce media campaign that portrayed its initially ambiguous effects on the pregnancy and fetus in a negative light, in conjunction with the open media platforms that enabled semi-experts to issue medically inaccurate statements and information and further complicated the matter by planting the seed of fear and mistrust of the public in the health care system and providers. More public healthcare awareness regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is needed.