Some pregnant Māori and Pacific women getting insufficient info on vaccines from healthcare providers

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-02-21 11:39

New Zealand; Pacific

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NZ health authorities recommend pregnant people are vaccinated against flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19, yet less than half of all pregnant women in NZ are vaccinated, and there’s even lower coverage for pregnant Māori and Pacific women. Researchers spoke to 15 Māori and Pacific women about their experiences learning about vaccination during their pregnancies. One participant said she was told about vaccination by receptionist staff at her general practice, while her midwife hadn’t discussed it. Overall, they found that the women who remained unvaccinated often appeared to experience ineffective communication with inadequate information and prioritisation. They suggest a more coordinated effort so all healthcare providers are prepared to engage in more detailed discussions with pregnant people, including benefits of the vaccinations.