Investigators
Prof Helen Marshall, A/Prof Margie Danchin, Prof Christopher Blyth, Prof Ivo Vlaev, A/Prof Jason Ong, Prof Jodie Dodd, Prof Jennifer Couper, Dr Thomas Sullivan, Prof Jonathan Karnon, Dr Prabha Andraweera, Prof Nicola Spurrier, Dr Michael Cusack, A/Prof Rosalie Grivell, Dr Dimi Simatos, Prof Gustaaf Dekker, Dr Samantha Carlson, Dr Bing Wang, Dr Jane Tuckerman, A/Prof Nicholas Wood, A/Prof Lisa Whop
Partners
- Department of Health, South Australia
- Department of Health, Victoria
- Department of Health, Western Australia
- Women’s and Children’s Health Network
- Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Department of Trade and Investment, South Australian Government
Project description
Pregnant women are 3 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and over 7 times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit with influenza compared to non-pregnant women. COVID-19 infection in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. However, the uptake of influenza vaccine among pregnant women and medically at risk children in Australia is only ~50%. The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women in Australia is below 45%. COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among mothers for their children is also <50% in Australia.
We will develop “nudges” (a choice that alters people’s behaviour in a predicted manner) that can be used in a hospital setting. Using a randomised control study design, we will implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the nudges in increasing influenza and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women and medically at risk children.
Funders
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)