Communication is Crucial: Lessons from COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy.

Cole, Christine ORCID: 0000-0001-5805-7649, Tsakiroglou, Maria and Waitt, Catriona ORCID: 0000-0003-0134-5855 (2022) Communication is Crucial: Lessons from COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy. British journal of clinical pharmacology.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bcp.15578

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection is higher in pregnant women compared to their non -pregnant counterparts. As real-world evidence accumulates demonstrating there is no increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, guidelines have evolved from a case by case benefit-risk decision through to clear recommendation in April 2021 for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. However, vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to uptake, especially among the younger population and individuals of ethnic minority backgrounds; pregnant women have additional concerns. Trust in the importance and effectiveness of the vaccine, trust in public health agencies and science, together with good communication methods regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines are strong factors for vaccination acceptance in pregnancy. Lack of trust in the health system was worsened by initial knowledge gaps in the information provided about COVID-19 infection and safety and immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines. This was exacerbated by access to incorrect information and misinformation to fill in those knowledge gaps, especially with the increased use of social media. To provide advice and reassurance on COVID-19 vaccine safety to pregnant women, health care professionals involved in their care should have the knowledge and skills to provide risk-benefit communication and would benefit from access to training in science communication. Clinical pharmacologists have the expertise to appraise and synthesise emerging pharmacovigilance data which can inform and support risk-benefit communication by other clinicians. Information should be strategically directed at individual audiences, taking their perspectives and foundational belief systems into consideration.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Covid 19, communication, pregnancy, vaccination, vaccine hesitancy
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	24 Nov 2022 08:32
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 19:43
DOI:	10.1111/bcp.15578
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.15578
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3166351