Pregnant Women’s Acceptance of Hypothetical Zika Vaccine

BACKGROUND: Zika virus is associated with substantial infant morbidity and mortality. Promising Zika vaccines for pregnant women are currently in clinical trials. To prepare for public availability, the acceptability of a hypothetical Zika vaccine was assessed among pregnant women. METHODS: A 16-question, 10-point Likert-scale survey was administered to a convenience sample of 100 pregnant women receiving routine prenatal care at the University of Kansas Medical Center from 07/07/2016 to 9/29/2016. The primary outcome, hypothetical vaccine acceptability, was evaluated by calculating the proportion of respondents who strongly agreed (responded 10/10) with the statement “If a vaccine for Zika virus was available, I would get this vaccine while pregnant.” Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine characteristics associated with Zika vaccine acceptability. RESULTS: Nearly half of the 100 patients surveyed (48%) expressed strong agreement to getting a hypothetical Zika vaccine while pregnant. Among these women, 98% n = 47 strongly agreed that a recommendation from their prenatal provider would be very important to them. Among the other 52% who did not demonstrate strong agreement to getting a Zika vaccine while pregnant, only 63% n = 33 of them strongly agreed that a recommendation from their prenatal provider would be very important to them. Women indicating strong acceptance of a hypothetical Zika vaccine were also more likely to feel strongly about the importance of children being up to date on all their vaccinations (97% vs. 83%, P = 0.01) and the importance of getting recommended vaccinations during her pregnancy (97% v. 79%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A Zika vaccine may be acceptable to pregnant women but would benefit from strong provider support and education about the risks and consequences of Zika infection and the benefits of vaccination. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.