Pregnant women's choices for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and can lead to severe respiratory distress, especially in very young infants. No specific treatments exist for RSV. However, new preventative strategies have become available including RSV vaccine for pregnant women and monoclonal antibody for infants. This study aimed to identify and understand barriers and facilitators to the uptake of a new RSV vaccine in pregnant women and determine their underlying choices for a maternal RSV immunisation program. Additionally, the study investigated choice for maternal vaccination or administration of a long-lasting monoclonal antibody to infants. Methods: Eligible participants were pregnant women residing in Australia and aged 18 years or older. Focus group discussions and individual online interviews were conducted and data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: A total of 34 pregnant women participated in online focus group discussions or interviews, with an average age of 34 years. The identified themes were categorised into four overarching domains: 1) motivators for vaccinating during pregnancy to safeguard their babies and prevent severe diseases, 2) barriers to vaccination including vaccine safety concerns, uncertainties regarding vaccine effectiveness, and vaccine hesitancy arising from COVID-19 vaccination experiences, 3) preferred vaccination promotion strategies, including constant reminders/prompts, personalised messages, campaign focusing on serious outcomes and using diverse/lay languages, recommendations from local obstetricians and health authorities, 4) clear vaccine recommendation policies and a preference for maternal immunisation over infant immunisation. Conclusions: The maternal RSV vaccination was generally welcomed and preferred by pregnant women in our study comparing to other strategies. Preferences for RSV program promotion included diversity in languages, "nudge" reminders, and recommendations from healthcare providers.