Correlation between educational attainment and willingness to receive antenatal RSV vaccination

Overview

This study assessed the awareness and acceptance of antenatal RSV vaccines among postpartum women in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. It found that while awareness of RSV infection was moderate, acceptance of the RSV vaccine was reported.

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in infants, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Maternal vaccination against RSV is a new preventive strategy aimed at protecting infants through transplacental antibody transfer. Understanding factors influencing vaccine acceptance among pregnant women is crucial for public health initiatives.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• 51% of postpartum women were aware of RSV infection.
• 72.5% provided correct answers regarding the mode of RSV transmission.
• 40% perceived the seriousness of RSV infection to be high for infants.
• 58% of participants accepted the RSV vaccine.
• Higher educational attainment was associated with lower acceptance of the RSV vaccine (odds ratio 0.72).

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the moderate awareness and acceptance levels of the RSV vaccine among postpartum women.

Conclusion

The study highlights a concerning trend where higher educational attainment correlates with lower acceptance of the antenatal RSV vaccine.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Multiplex PCR-based epidemiology of viral acute respiratory infections in hospitalized children: implications for antibiotic stewardship in Saudi Arabia
2. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness and Antibody Responses in Pregnant Women and Infants in the United States and South Africa
3. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding laryngomalacia in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide cross-sectional study
4. WHO position paper on immunization to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus disease, May 2025
5. The Journal of Infectious Diseases — Socioeconomic Inequities in the Age-Specific Burden of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Canada, 2016–2019
6. Saudi Drug Information System
7. SFDA Safety Communication
8. RSV policy update 2024
9. Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants | New England Journal of Medicine
10. WHO position paper on immunization to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus disease, May 2025
11. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE): Pfizer Maternal RSV Vaccine | ACIP | CDC
12. Bivalent prefusion F vaccination in pregnancy and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in infants in the UK: results of a multicentre, test-negative, case-control study - ScienceDirect
13. Effectiveness and Impact of Maternal RSV Immunization and Nirsevimab on Medically Attended RSV in US Children | Pediatrics | JAMA Pediatrics | JAMA Network
14. Impact and effectiveness of RSV maternal immunization on infant hospitalizations in Buenos Aires: a hospital-based, multicentre, retrospective surveillance cohort study - ScienceDirect