Am J Perinatol 2022; 39(10): 1048-1054
DOI: 10.1055/a-1673-5546
Editorial

Countering COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pregnancy: the “4 Cs”

1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
2   Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Thomas P. Kishkovich
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Andrea G. Edlow
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
2   Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Funding This work is funded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [1K12HD103096; 3R01HD100022-02S2], and March of Dimes Foundation [6-FY20-223].

Abstract

Despite evidence to support the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, and clear recommendations from professional organizations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for pregnant people to get vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy remains a significant public health problem. The emergence of the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant among primarily unvaccinated people has exposed the cost of vaccine hesitancy. In this commentary, we explore factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy and potential solutions to overcome them.

Key Points

  • Low COVID-19 vaccination coverage in pregnant people is a major public health problem in the United States.

  • COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy is multifactorial.

  • The “4 Cs” framework may be useful in countering COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Authors' Contribution

L. L. S., T. P. K., and A. G. E. conceived the topic of this review and drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 01 October 2021

Accepted: 05 October 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 October 2021

Article published online:
28 November 2021

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