Feasibility and acceptability of the multi-component P3-MumBubVax antenatal intervention to promote maternal and childhood vaccination: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a critical time for vaccine decision-making, but coverage remains suboptimal for maternal influenza (45–60%) and pertussis vaccination (65–80%) in Australia. The multi-component P3-MumBubVax intervention has been designed for Australian midwives to optimise antenatal vaccine discussions and improve maternal and childhood vaccine uptake. A pilot study was conducted to assess intervention feasibility and acceptability. Methods: P3-MumBubVax includes components at three levels: 1. Practice (’vaccine champions’; stickers to prompt and record vaccine discussions/delivery); 2. Provider (website with vaccine communication training; learning exercise; fact sheets; links to child vaccination resources); 3. Parent (SMS reminders; website; fact sheets). Midwives and pregnant women 18–22 weeks gestation were recruited at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne. Post-intervention online surveys assessed intervention feasibility, implementation, acceptability and impact on vaccine uptake. Results: Twenty-five midwives and 62 pregnant women were recruited and 19/25 midwives completed training. Surveys were returned by 18/25 midwives and 56/62 women. 14/18 midwives reported using the sticker prompts, 10/18 reported using or referring to the website, and 11/18 reported using the fact sheets. 48/56 pregnant women (86%) reported discussing influenza and 46/56 (82%) discussed pertussis vaccines with their midwives. These conversations were reported to be short (1–3 min) for 48/56 women (87%).