Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunization Intention During Pregnancy and Infancy

What are the self-reported intentions, behaviors, and preferences of pregnant women and parents of young children regarding maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy or RSV antibody shot administration for infants after birth? In this survey study including 1765 parents and 174 pregnant women, parents and pregnant women reported a preference for maternal RSV vaccination compared with RSV antibody shot administration for infants. Lack of information and safety concerns were reported as key barriers to immunization uptake, and some participants with negative or unsure intention toward RSV immunization were more likely to accept RSV immunization if a health care practitioner strongly recommended it. These findings suggest that a multipronged communication strategy, including via health care practitioner recommendations, is needed to communicate about RSV immunization options and their safety with families during pregnancy and infancy.

Corresponding Author: Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD, MPH, Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop: 1518-002-6CC, Atlanta, GA 30322-4201 (lavanya.vasudevan@emory.edu).

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