Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Likelihood During Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 Vaccination rates among pregnant women are significantly lower than the general population. The aim of the current study was to identify maternal background, medical and gynecological characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccination likelihood. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, including all women who delivered between January - September 2021, background and medical history, including current and previous pregnancies diagnoses, were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Multivariable logistic models were used to identify factors associated with vaccination for the entire population, and for the two distinctive populations included in the study (Bedouin Arabs and Jewish women). RESULTS: The study population included 7,017 women, of them 1,925 (27.4%) were vaccinated during pregnancy. According to the multivariable analysis, unvaccinated mothers were younger with lower socio-economic score. They were more likely to be Bedouin Arabs, have a bad obstetrical history or recurrent pregnancy loss and with insufficient prenatal care. Additional risk factors were inconsistent between the two ethnicities included in the study. CONCLUSION: Ethnicity, insufficient prenatal care and having a bad obstetrical history were consistently associated with lower vaccination among pregnant women. These factors should be considered in future plans aiming to increase vaccination among pregnant women.