Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Maternal vaccination is increasingly part of antenatal care in the UK and worldwide. Trials of Group B streptococcus (GBS) vaccines are ongoing. This study investigated the attitudes of pregnant women and healthcare professionals towards antenatal vaccination, both in routine care and a clinical trial setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survey of 269 pregnant women, 273 midwives/obstetricians and 97 neonatal doctors across seven sites in the UK assessing attitudes towards antenatal vaccinations, knowledge of GBS, a hypothetical GBS vaccine and participation in clinical vaccine trials. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of pregnant women intended to receive a vaccine during their current pregnancy (183/269) and 43% (of all respondents, 115/269) reported they would be very/fairly likely to accept a vaccine against GBS despite only 29% (55/269) knowing what GBS was. This increased to 69% after additional information about GBS was provided. Twenty-four percent of pregnant women reported they would be likely to take part in a clinical trial of an unlicensed GBS vaccine. Fifty-nine percent of maternity professionals and 74% of neonatologists would be likely to recommend participation in a GBS vaccine trial to women, with the vast majority (>99%) willing to be involved in such a study. Incentives to take part cited by pregnant women included extra antenatal scans and the opportunity to be tested for GBS. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women and healthcare professionals were open to the idea of an antenatal GBS vaccine and involvement in clinical trials of such a vaccine. Education and support from midwives would be key to successful implementation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.