Acceptability and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant and lactating women seeking services at a tertiary public hospital in Kampala, Uganda

Katana, Elizabeth B, Odongpiny, Eva Agnes Laker, Simbwa, Brenda N, Nsubuga, Edirisa J, Namayanja, Josephine, Muhindo, Richard, Kiiza, Daniel, Castelnuovo, Barbara, Ario, Alex R and Waitt, Catriona ORCID: 0000-0003-0134-5855 (2026) Acceptability and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant and lactating women seeking services at a tertiary public hospital in Kampala, Uganda BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. ISSN 1471-2393, 1471-2393

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, several vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, have been routinely recommended during pregnancy and lactation. However, data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and uptake among pregnant and lactating women are limited in Sub-Saharan Africa. While COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency it is important to take stock of lessons learnt to prepare for future health threats including those that disproportionately affect pregnant/lactating women. We aimed to assess acceptability and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant and lactating women in Uganda.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted among 424 pregnant and lactating women, who were seeking maternal and child health care at Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Kampala conducted between May and July 2023. We obtained data on vaccine acceptability defined as willingness to accept vaccines using interviewer-administered questionnaires. In addition, we assessed vaccination status. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and uptake were evaluated using modified Poisson regression.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 26.9 years (SD = 5.7), ranging from 14 to 45 years. Among 424 respondents, 51.6% had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 94.1% had received tetanus toxoid vaccine, and 48.4% regardless of their vaccination status, were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Only 5/212(2.4%) had received COVID-19 vaccines while lactating with none having been received during pregnancy. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake included history of testing for COVID-19 (aPR = 1.92, CI:1.46–2.54) and having a vaccinated household member (aPR = 1.34, CI:1.03–1.84). COVID-19 vaccine willingness was significantly associated with being a household head (aPR = 2.2, CI:1.12–4.27) and having a vaccinated household member (aPR = 1.33, CI:1.04–1.76).ConclusionCOVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant and lactating women remains suboptimal despite high acceptance of other maternal vaccines. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, during pregnancy and lactation. Strengthening risk communication, addressing safety concerns, and leveraging trusted sources of information may enhance vaccine confidence and improve uptake during pregnancy and lactation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	3215 Reproductive Medicine, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 4206 Public Health, 42 Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases, Biodefense, Coronaviruses Disparities and At-Risk Populations, Coronaviruses Vaccines, Pregnancy, Coronaviruses, Immunization, Maternal Health, Breastfeeding, Lactation and Breast Milk, Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Primary Health Care, Vaccine Related, Women's Health, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Clinical Research, Prevention, Social Determinants of Health, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, 3.4 Vaccines, Reproductive health and childbirth, Infection, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences (T&R staff) Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences > Women's & Children's Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Aug 2026 13:59
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2026 11:06
DOI:	10.1186/s12884-026-09708-8
Open Access URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-0...
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3199783
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.