Adherence to the recommended vaccination schedule for pregnant women in Southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors, including COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of adherence to the complete vaccination schedule recommended for pregnant women by the National Immunization Program of the Ministry of Health and the reasons for non-vaccination in a referral maternity hospital in southern Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with postpartum women at a referral maternity hospital in southern Brazil (July-December 2023). Sociodemographic, obstetric, and vaccination data were obtained through structured interviews and verification of medical records and prenatal cards. Results: a total of 342 postpartum women were included. The mean age was 28.4 years; 73.7% were White, 57.0% were single, and most had formal education. Overall, 99.1% attended prenatal care and 94.7% had ≥6 prenatal visits. Only 20.8% had a complete vaccination schedule, and the vaccine with the lowest acceptance was the COVID-19 vaccine. Incomplete vaccination schedules were independently associated with younger maternal age and not receiving vaccination counseling. Conclusions: adherence to the recommended complete vaccination schedule during pregnancy was low, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine. Maternal age under 35 years remained an independent factor associated with non-adherence to the complete vaccination schedule and to COVID-19 vaccination. Prenatal vaccination counseling acted as a protective factor, being associated with higher adherence to recommended vaccines, except for COVID-19 and influenza.