Maternal vaccination in the NHS (MAVIS) Study

Investigating predictors of vaccination in pregnancy across England, focusing on pertussis

This research aimed to identify how NHS maternity services can be supported to improve pertussis and other vaccination delivery to pregnant women, aiming to reduce inequities between demographic groups and NHS areas.

Pertussis is widespread, highly contagious and serious for new-born babies. Vaccination is recommended for pregnant women to give newborn babies immunity from birth until they are old enough for their own vaccination. Over a third of pregnant women in the UK do not receive the vaccine and more miss out on the seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines also recommended in pregnancy. Coverage is highly variable across regions of the country, and by demographic, with women of ethnic minorities and from more deprived areas particularly likely to miss out. The reasons for these differences are not clear, though the pattern indicates this is an inequity issue rather than a matter of personal choice.
 
More maternal vaccines are being developed nationally and globally. Understanding how to ensure effective and equitable delivery of these programmes is important, including maintaining respectful relationships with women who choose not to be vaccinated.
 
The MAVIS Study involves several projects designed to explore maternal vaccination in England, to identify what could be improved as shown below.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT (PPI)

Consultation and codesign with the following advisory groups were embedded throughout the projects to help design the research and interpret findings:
  • Clinical advisory group (NHS midwives and maternity professionals)
  • Parent advisory group (Bristol mothers from underserved communities)

PROJECT 1: VACCINATION PROVISION IN NHS MATERNITY TRUSTS

This study (now complete) provides a valuable overview of the maternal vaccination provision across England’s NHS maternity trusts. Commissioners completed an online survey between June 2022 and March 2023, providing data for 120 of the 124 NHS maternity trusts in England. The results show an increase in the provision of maternal vaccines by maternity trusts over recent years, despite a negative impact of the pandemic on services, though with huge variability between trusts.

Read the full paper here: Maternal vaccination provision in NHS maternity trusts across England

PROJECT 2: THE MATERNITY STAFF PERSPECTIVE

This was a national survey with healthcare professionals working at maternity services in NHS areas with the highest and the lowest coverage for maternal pertussis vaccination. Survey development used theoretical frameworks of behavioural determinants, clinical advisory group consultation and think-aloud user-testing.

551 respondents took part between 25/11/22 and 03/05/2023, with 260 respondents (from 20 trusts) representing high vaccinating areas, and 291 respondents (from 19 trusts) representing low vaccinating areas. Most participants were female midwives working in hospital settings.

Here is a brief newsletter summary of findings: MAVIS - Maternity professionals newsletter (PDF, 612kB)

Publication of full results is planned for 2025 and we will post a publication link here.

PROJECT 3: THE MOTHERS' PERSPECTIVE

This is a survey study with recently pregnant women in areas of England with the lowest maternal pertussis vaccination coverage. Survey development used theoretical frameworks of behavioural determinants, community advisory group consultation and think-aloud user-testing. Recruitment closed on 01 June 2024. 

A diverse sample of 377 mothers took part between June 2023 and May 2024 across 7 of the lowest-vaccinating regions of England. 

Here is a brief newsletter summary of findings: MAVIS - mothers' newsletter (PDF, 497kB)

Full results are planned for publication in 2025 and we will post a publication link here.