Pregnant Women’s Vaccine Decisions: Understanding Choices
- Researchers at the Karolinska Institute are conducting a qualitative study, VIPS-Q (Vaccination in Pregnancy Study - Qualitative), to understand the reasoning behind pregnant women's decisions regarding vaccination against...
- The VIPS-Q study is part of a larger VIPS project investigating vaccination during pregnancy.
- Currently, Swedish national guidelines recommend influenza and whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women.
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Karolinska Institute Study Investigates Factors influencing Vaccine Decisions During Pregnancy in Sweden
overview
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute are conducting a qualitative study, VIPS-Q (Vaccination in Pregnancy Study – Qualitative), to understand the reasoning behind pregnant women’s decisions regarding vaccination against influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, adn whooping cough. The study aims to identify factors influencing vaccine uptake and address disparities in coverage, ultimately contributing to improved public health recommendations and implementation strategies.
The VIPS Project and VIPS-Q
The VIPS-Q study is part of a larger VIPS project investigating vaccination during pregnancy. The broader VIPS project encompasses research on both the safety and effectiveness of vaccines administered during pregnancy, alongside this qualitative exploration of decision-making processes. VIPS stands for “Vaccination in pregnancy study,” and the “Q” denotes that this specific component is a qualitative interview study.
Currently, Swedish national guidelines recommend influenza and whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women. This study seeks to understand the factors that lead women to follow, or deviate from, these recommendations.
Study Methodology: In-Depth Interviews
The research team, comprised of a research midwife and a public health scientist, will conduct in-depth interviews with approximately 40 women between 3 and 12 months after they have given birth. Participants are being recruited through the Karolinska Institute’s website and via informational materials distributed at midwifery clinics.
The participant group will be evenly divided: half will be women who received vaccinations against influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and/or whooping cough during pregnancy, while the other half will consist of women who chose not to be vaccinated.
The interviews will focus on exploring the women’s thoughts, beliefs, and experiences related to vaccination during pregnancy, aiming to uncover the complex factors influencing their decisions.
Key Personnel
Associate Professor Anne Örtqvist,a researcher in clinical epidemiology and a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology,is the principal investigator overseeing the entire VIPS project. Her expertise guides the research and ensures the study’s scientific rigor.