Assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Malaysian pregnant women: prevalence and influencing factors

Background The World Health Organization has highlighted vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of vaccination as one of the successful preventive measures, especially for high-risk groups, including pregnant women. This study aims to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its influencing factors among pregnant women in Malaysia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2024 to December 2024. among pregnant women at an antenatal clinic in Malaysia. Participants were selected using a non-proportionate stratified multistage cluster random sampling. The vaccine hesitancy status is measured by the Pregnancy Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (pVHS). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, available through Google Forms or in printed form. Results A total of 595 pregnant women participated (response rate: 99.2%). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 42.5%. Vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with incomplete or non-receipt of COVID-19 vaccination ( p = 0.022), having family or friends who experienced severe vaccine side effects ( p = 0.020), and lower knowledge scores regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination ( p < 0.001). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of targeted communication strategies in addressing vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women. Moreover, involving healthcare providers in disseminating accurate information and addressing patients’ concerns can be crucial in increasing vaccine acceptance among pregnant women.