Acceptance of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine: Focus groups with pregnant women and new mothers in a large metro area

BACKGROUND: The popularity of web-based communication has increased the propagation of anti-vaccine material, leading to consumer distrust. Parents' concerns and lack of accurate vaccine knowledge can lead to significant delays in infant immunization, beginning with the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine. As such, it is the role of public health entities to ensure that infants receive timely vaccinations by empowering parents to educate themselves. METHODS: We conducted five focus groups in a metro area with pregnant women and women who had given birth in the past six months (n=26). One group was screened for “vaccine hesitancy” and another for “vaccine acceptance.” The other participants were grouped according to where they delivered. A discussion tool and a hepatitis B fact sheet were created to guide the conversation. RESULTS: Negative reactions to vaccines were limited and knowledge of hepatitis B was considerably low. Participants discussed discomfort with the number of vaccines children need and the young age at which vaccination begins. Participants were familiar with hepatitis B virus and its effect on the liver but less familiar with the fact that infants infected with hepatitis B become chronic carriers. Participants preferred prenatal education for women about the birth dose and offered creative ways to reach this population. CONCLUSION: Women want to vaccinate their infants but want timely, clear information to aid their decisions. Efforts should focus on educating women prenatally about the birth dose and ensuring that a comfort level has been reached prior to the vaccine administration in the hospital.