Ethnicity, culture and COVID-19 vaccine behaviour in South Asian and Caucasian pregnant women

Background/Aims During the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccines were offered to pregnant women in the UK. Uptake was unequal across ethnic groups. This study aimed to explore attitudes, beliefs and decision-making processes in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine, focusing on ethnicity and cultural factors that may influence uptake. Methods This interpetive phenomenological study gathered qualitative data using semi-structured online interviews with 10 women who were pregnant during the pandemic. Data were analysed thematically. Results South Asian participants showed varying degrees of vaccine hesitancy, shaped by mistrust from broader systemic factors and inconsistent information, often amplified by media. In contrast, Caucasian participants generally exhibited greater vaccine confidence, driven by trust in healthcare professionals and satisfaction with accessible vaccine information. Conclusions There is a need to address hesitancy and healthcare mistrust in ethnic minority communities. Access to credible information and addressing specific concerns of pregnant women from diverse backgrounds are essential to achieving equitable health outcomes. Implications for practice Ethnicity and culture must be understood as individualised and context-specific experiences to avoid distrust and disconnect in maternity services. Embedding this from higher education through to research and ongoing in-house training is essential for safe and equitable care.