COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among women attending antenatal and postnatal cares in Central Gondar Zone public hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction

The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is a public health problem, which caused a major impact on morbidity and mortality around the world. Even though an effective vaccine is the most awaited resolution for the pandemic, little is known about COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance and its associated factors among pregnant and postnatal mothers.

Method

Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 527 pregnant and postnatal mothers from August 15 to September 15, 2021. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Epi-Data version 4.6 and Stata 16 software were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Participant characteristics and rate of vaccine acceptance were presented using descriptive statistics. Multi-variable logistic regression was performed to identify statistically significant variables. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistical significance based on p < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model.

Result

The overall prevalence of intent to accept COVID-19 vaccine was 62.04% (95% CI: 57.65, 66.25). Of those 40.08% were pregnant mothers and 21.97% of them were postpartum mothers. Urban residence (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.09–3.77), respondents who were worry about COVID-19 disease (AOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 2.16–5.52), and participants who had favorable attitude towards vaccine (AOR = 8.54, 95% CI: 5.18–14.08) were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that the willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination was low. Residence, worry about COVID-19 disease, and attitudes towards vaccine were factors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Evidence-based and clear information on COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to pregnant and postnatal mothers for both rural and urban residences to improve attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine and increase vaccination rates.

Abbreviations

ACOG

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

ANC

antenatal care

AOR

adjusted odds ratio

CDC

center for disease control and prevention

CI

confidence interval

COR

crud odds ratio

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019

ICU

intensive care unit

PNC

postnatal care

SARS-COV-2

severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

WHO

world health organization

1. Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.¹ The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to impose enormous burden of morbidity and mortality while severely disrupting societies, health system and economies worldwide.² World health organization (WHO) reports that confirmed cases of the disease reached more than 228 million by September 19, 2021 and caused more than 4.7 million deaths worldwide.³ According to African CDC report, in the continent there were more than 8.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 210,088 deaths by September 21, 2021.⁴ In Ethiopia, COVID-19 causes 365,167 confirmed cases and 6459 deaths by October 31, 2021.⁵ Governments must be ready to ensure large-scale, equitable access and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine if and when a safe and effective one becomes available.²

Even though pregnant and lactating women were excluded from initial COVID-19 vaccine trials⁶; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended that COVID-19 vaccine should be offered for pregnant women who meet the criteria for vaccination and should be encouraged to talk with their obstetric provider about their vaccination plan. ACOG also recommends that vaccines should be offered to lactating women similar to non-lactating ones when they meet the criteria.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 have a higher risk than similar non-pregnant persons for poor health outcomes and that risks may also be higher for their babies.⁷ COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of maternal severe illness, ICU (intensive care unit) admission, mechanical ventilation, and death of the mother.⁸ COVID-19 infection increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes to the fetus such as preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, neonatal admissions to the intensive care unit, and pregnancy loss.^{8 , 9} According to ACOG, COVID-19 also increases the risk of complications in pregnant and lactating women with underlying health conditions including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease and those mothers with increasing age. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women should be offered COVID-19 vaccine and be encouraged to take it.⁷

Transmission of the COVID-19 virus can be mitigated through physical distancing, use of face coverings, hand and respiratory hygiene, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces^{. 10} SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus to which the human population has no immunity.¹¹ Herd immunity against COVID-19 should be achieved by protecting people through vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccines are expected to provide at least some protection against new virus variants and are effective at preventing serious illness and death as a result of developing an immune response to the SARS-Cov-2.¹² However, public vaccine hesitancy is a pressing problem for public health authorities. With the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, little information is available on the public acceptability and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccines.¹³ ACOG suggested that individuals can receive any product that is made available to them and can be confident in the vaccine's ability to provide a high level of protection from COVID-19-relatede severe illness.

The COVID-19 pandemic is also a particular concern for pregnant and breastfeeding women.¹⁴ The use of vaccines to protect pregnant women and their newborns from infectious diseases is an integral part of routine obstetric practice.⁷ It is well known that the concept of passive immunization of the newborn obtained with the transplacental passage of protective antibodies into the fetal/neonatal circulation after maternal infection or vaccination of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine-induced IgG pass to the neonates through breast milk.⁵ Therefore, maternal vaccination can protect the mother, fetus, and baby.⁸

Even though vaccines are effective interventions to reduce the burden of COVID-19 disease; public vaccine hesitancy is a pressing problem to deliver the vaccine.¹³ So, evidence-based and tailored information on COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid unfounded concerns about the vaccines and to support shared decision-making in the population.¹⁴ The government of Ethiopia had started to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine on March 13, 2021, but there is limited evidence about the acceptance of the vaccine particularly in pregnant and lactating mothers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and the factors associated with acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

2. Methods and materials

2.1. Study design, setting, and period

A health institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 15 to September 15, 2021. The study was conducted in the Central Gondar Zone of Amhara Regional State, which is located at 748 Km to Northwest of Addis Ababa. The zone includes 15 woredas, one administration town, and the City of Gondar, which is the capital of the zone. There are six primary hospitals named, Dembia, Aykel, Wogera, Delgi, Arbaya and Guhala, and one public referral hospital named, University of Gondar Compressive and Specialized hospital.

2.2. Source and study population

All pregnant and postnatal mothers who came for antenatal and postnatal care in Central Gondar Zone hospitals were the source population. All pregnant and postnatal mothers who came for antenatal and postnatal care in selected Central Gondar Zone hospitals during the data collection period were the study population.

2.3. Inclusion and exclusion criteria

All pregnant and postnatal women were included in the study. Pregnant and postnatal women who were seriously ill during the data collection period were excluded.

2.4. Sample size determination and sampling technique

The sample size of this study was calculated by using the single population proportion formula.

The sample size calculation formula is as follow:

$$n=\frac{(\frac{\text{Za}}{2})2\text{*P}(1-\text{P})}{\text{w}2}$$

where P is the sample proportion which is 70.7%¹⁵ to take as proportion, Za/2 = 1.96 critical value of normal distribution at α/2 at 95% confidence interval and 5% marginal error (_w).

n= (1.96)² *0.707(1–0.707)/(0.05)² = 318.316 ≈ 319 and by considering the non-response rate of 10% and designing effect of 1.5 the final sample size was 527.

From the seven hospitals, three hospitals, namely, Dembia, Wogera, and University of Gondar Compressive and Specialized hospital were selected using a lottery method. A proportional allocation of the sample to the selected health facilities was made based on the reports of the preceding three months of prenatal and postnatal care attendants, while the systematic sampling technique was used to select the study participants.

2.5. Terms and operational definitions

Vaccine acceptance: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was measured using “Yes” and “No” questions. Respondents were asked “If the vaccine is available for COVID-19 are you willing to take it”; respondents who respond “yes” were given a score of 1 and “No” response was given a score of 0. Accordingly, respondents who scored 1 were thought of as having an intention to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, and respondents who scored 0 were thought of as having no intention to accept the COVID-19 vaccine.

Antenatal care is the routine healthcare of presumed healthy pregnant women without symptoms (screening), to diagnose diseases or complicating obstetric conditions without symptoms, and to provide information about lifestyle, pregnancy, and delivery.

Postnatal care: Care given to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after the birth of the placenta and for the first six weeks of life.

Good knowledge: Participants who responded three and above from five knowledge assessing items about vaccines were labeled as having good knowledge otherwise poor knowledge. Respondents who answered “yes” for knowledge assessing questions were scored 1 and respondents who were answered “no or uncertain” for knowledge assessing questions were scored 0.

Favorable attitude: Participants who responded three and above from five attitude assessing items about vaccines were labeled as having favorable attitude otherwise unfavorable attitude. Respondents who answered “yes” for attitude assessing questions were scored 1 and respondents who were answered “no or uncertain” for attitude assessing questions were scored 0.

2.6. Data collection tools and procedures

Data were collected from August 15 to September 15, 2021 using a pretested, structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted from different literature.14, 15, 16, 17 The questionnaire was prepared in English and translated to Amharic and retranslated into English to keep consistency. The study tool was assessed by a group of researchers to check the clarity and completeness. The data were collected from pregnant and postnatal mothers during their ANC and PNC visits respectively. The interviews took place after the participants attended their clinic appointments at their exit time. Data were collected by three trained diploma Midwives and three supervisors provided quality assurance of the data collection process.

2.7. Quality assurance mechanisms

All interviewers and supervisors received training on the study procedures, and interviewing techniques. Questionnaires were checked for completeness and consistency daily during the time of data collection and incomplete ones were sent back to the data collector for check-up under supervision. Daily feedback on data collection activities were given by supervisors. Questionnaires were checked for content validity by experts in the field. The questionnaire was pre-tested before the start of actual data collection on 5% of the total required sample at Debark General Hospital. Accordingly, the clarity, wording, logical sequence, and skip patterns of the questions were amended.

2.8. Data analysis and presentation

First, data were checked for completeness, coded, and then entered into EpiData version 4.6 software and exported to Stata version 16 software for analysis. Variables independently associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were identified by using multiple logistic regressions and computing an AOR, with 95% CI and p-values. Data were organized and presented using tables, graphs, and charts.

3. Result

3.1. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participant

A total of 519 mothers, 360 pregnant and 159 postnatal, participated in the study with a response rate of 98.5%. The mean age of the participants was 27.38 (SD = ± 4.7). More than three-fourth of the participants' lived in an urban area. Most of the participants (86.13%) followed Orthodox Christianity. About 37.96% of the participants level of education was college and above. Of the total participants, 357 (68.79%) had at least one child (Table 1 ).

Table 1.

Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 519).

Variable	Response	Number	Percent
Age	18–25	195	37.57
	26–35	290	55.88
	36–48	34	6.55
Residence	Urban	409	78.81
	Rural	110	21.19
Religion	Orthodox	447	86.13
	Muslim	68	13.10
	Protestant	4	0.77
Marital status	Married	510	98.27
	Divorced	8	1.54
	Single	1	0.19
Educational status	No formal education	88	16.96
	primary education	92	17.73
	secondary education	142	27.36
	College and above	197	37.96
Academic area	Health	29	5.59
	Non-health	490	94.41
Occupation	Hose wife	224	43.16
	Private employee	41	7.90
	Government employee	160	30.83
	Merchant	42	8.09
	Student	40	7.71
	Daily laborer	3	0.58
	Farmer	9	1.73
Husbands educational status	No formal education	60	11.56
	primary education	98	18.88
	secondary education	100	19.27
	College and above	259	49.90
	Mothers who were single	2	0.39
Husbands occupation	Farmer	71	13.68
	Private employee	107	20.62
	Government employee	192	36.99
	Merchant	106	20.42
	Student	7	1.35
	Daily laborer	35	6.75
	Mothers who were single	1	0.19
Do you have children	Yes	357	68.79
	No	162	31.21
If you have a children how many children do you have	1–2	254	71.15
	3–4	80	22.41
	≥5	23	6.44

3.2. Obstetrics and medical-related factors of the participants

An estimated 66.09% of the participants were multigravida. Of the total participants, 78.81% had planned pregnancies. About 94.41% of the participants had ANC visits for the index pregnancy. Of those more than half (56.53%) have more than four visits for the last pregnancy. Mothers who had chronic disease during pregnancy or in the postpartum period were 15%, among these, almost half (7%) of those mothers had hypertension (Table 2 ).

Table 2.

Obstetrics and medical history of mothers in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 519).

Variable	Response	Number	percent
Maternal care type	Antenatal care	360	69.36
	Postnatal care	159	30.64
Gravidity	Primigravid	176	33.91
	multigravida	343	66.09
Parity	Nully para	25	4.82
	Primipara	188	36.22
	Multipara	306	58.96
Pregnancy planned for the last pregnancy	Yes	409	78.81
	No	110	21.19
Do you have ANC visit	Yes	490	94.41
	No	29	5.59
Number of ANC visit	<4	277	56.53
	≥4	213	43.47
Do you have PNC visit (postnatal mothers)	Yes	48	9.25
	No	208	40.08
	ANC	263	50.67
Had chronic disease (high risk pregnancy)	Yes	78	15.03
	No	441	84.97
Type of medical illness	Hypertension	37	7.13
	Diabetes	17	3.28
	Anemia	11	2.12
	Kidney problem	1	0.19
	Others (thyroid disease, heart disease)	12	2.31
	No illness	441	84.97

3.3. Knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 vaccination

Our findings showed that 18.88% of the respondents scored 50% or more on the knowledge-related questions from a total score of five. The attitude of the respondents who scored 50% or more attitude assessing items was 38.54% from the total score of five (Table 3 ).

Table 3.

Knowledge and attitudes of mothers in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 519).

Variables	Response	Number	Present
Do you think that the COVID-19 vaccine carries the possibility of harm for your baby	Yes	210	40.46
	No	160	30.83
	Uncertain	149	28.7
Vaccines have health related risk	Yes	148	28.52
	No	178	34.30
	Uncertain	193	37.19
Vaccines protect against infectious disease	Yes	103	19.85
	No	153	29.48
	Uncertain	263	50.67
Does the vaccines are easing the complication of the disease?	Yes	110	21.19
	No	147	28.32
	Uncertain	262	50.48
Dose vaccines produce long term-immunity	Yes	114	21.97
	No	98	18.88
	Uncertain	307	59.15
Knowledge	Good knowledge	98	18.88
	Poor knowledge	421	81.12
Attitudes towards the vaccine
Do you believe vaccines are safe	Yes	150	28.90
	No	114	21.97
	uncertain	255	49.13
Do you think that, COVID-19 vaccines are essential	Yes	197	37.96
	No	89	17.15
	uncertain	233	44.89
In the event that you have covid-19, are you ready to tell for your friends and relatives	Yes	437	84.20
	No	55	10.59
	uncertain	27	5.20
Was there any change in your point of view positively towards vaccination in general recently?	Yes	285	54.91
	No	141	27.17
	Uncertain	93	17.92
We cannot decrease the frequency of COVID-19 without vaccination	Yes	96	18.50
	No	391	75.34
	uncertain	32	6.17
Attitude	Favorable attitude	200	38.54
	Unfavorable attitude	319	61.46

3.4. Intention to accept COVID-19 vaccine

Of the total participants, 62.04% (95% CI: 57.65–66.25) were willing to accept COVID-19 vaccine if it is available in Ethiopia. Of those participants, 208 (40.08%) pregnant and 114 (21.97%) postpartum mothers were willing to accept COVID-19 vaccine. About 81.89% of the participants got information about COVID-19 vaccines. An estimated 37.96% of participants got information from health care providers (Table 4 ).

Table 4.

Intent to accept a COVID-19 vaccine of mothers in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 519).

Variables	Response	Number	Present
If vaccine is available for COVID-19 are you willing to take it	Yes	322	62.04
	No	197	37.96
Do you worry about COVID-19 disease	Yes	297	57.23
	No	222	42.78
Do you get information about COVID-19 vaccines	Yes	425	81.89
	No	94	18.11
If yes what are your source of information about COVID-19 vaccine	Health care providers	197	37.96
	Health extension workers	81	15.61
	Government	66	12.72
	Media (television/radio)	345	66.47
	Internet	55	10.60
	Family members/friends	168	32.37

3.5. Concerns of mothers about COVID-19 vaccine

In this study, the most common reason for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was religious beliefs 93 (46.73%) and fear of affecting their fetus or baby 83 (41.71%) (Fig. 1 ).

Fig. 1.

Concerns of mothers about COVID-19 vaccine in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

3.6. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance

The association between all potential independent variables towards COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Accordingly, in the bi-variable logistic regression analysis, predictor variables include age, residence, educational status, academic area, worry about COVID-19 disease, information exposure about covid-19 vaccines, and attitude towards a vaccine. After controlling for confounders in a multivariable logistic regression analysis, residence, attitude towards vaccine, and worry about COVID-19 disease were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine.

Respondents living urban areas were 2.03 times more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine than rural residents (AOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.09–3.77). Respondents who were worried about COVID-19 disease were 3.46 times more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines than their counterparts (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 2.16–5.52). Furthermore, study participants who had favorable attitudes were 8.54 times more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine than respondents who had unfavorable attitudes (AOR = 8.54; 95% CI: 5.18–14.08) (Table 5 ).

Table 5.

Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression of respondents in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 519).

Variables		Vaccine acceptance		COR with 95%CI	AOR with 95%CI
		yes	No
Age	18–25	122	73	2.38 (1.14 5.01)	1.5 (0 .62, 3.61)
	26–35	186	104	2.55 (1.24 5.27)*	1.81 (0 .79, 4.13)
	36–48	14	20	1	1
Residence	Urban	267	142	1.88 (1.23, 2.88)**	2.03 (1.09, 3.77)*
	Rural	55	55	1	1
Educational status	No formal education	47	41	1	1
	primary education	57	35	1.42 (.78, 2.57)	0.94 (0 .42, 2.11)
	secondary education	81	61	1.16 (.68, 1.98)	0.65 (0 .30, 1.38)
	College and above	137	60	1.99 (1.19, 3.34)**	1.16(0.54, 2.53)
Academic area	Health	23	6	2.45 (0 .98, 6.12)	2.04 (0 .71, 5.84)
	Non- health	299	191	1	1
Do you worry about COVID-19 disease	Yes	103	119	1.87(1.30,2.68)**	3.46 (2.16, 5.52)**
	No	94	103	1)	1
Do you get information about COVID-19 vaccines	Yes	272	153	1.56 (1.00, 2.46)	0.91 (0.53, 1.56)
	No	50	44	1	1
Attitude	Favorable attitude	170	152	6.23(3.99, 9.73)**	8.54 (5.18, 14.08)**
	Unfavorable attitude	30	167	1	1

* = p value ˂ 0.05 and ** = p value ≤ 0.01.

4. Discussion

COVID-19 vaccination is a safe and effective approach to control the pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and the factors associated with it.

This study revealed that the overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 62.04% (95% CI: 57.65, 66.25). This study was comparable with a study conducted in Durban, South Africa 63.3%.¹⁸ However, the result of this study was lower than studies conducted in China (77.4%),¹⁹ Qatar (75%),²⁰ and Ethiopia (70.7%).¹⁵ The possible reason for the study conducted in Qatar is; that study was an online cross-sectional study that may incorporate persons who had media exposure and may have high level of awareness. But, this study was conducted by a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. The possible difference in the study conducted in China was due to high sample size and may have better access to information.

This finding is higher than studies conducted in six European countries (40–50%),¹⁴ a survey in 16 different countries (52%),²¹ in Ankara City Hospital (37%),²² Southwest Ethiopia 31.3%,²³ and in Switzerland (35.7%).²⁴ The possible reason may be the difference in the study period between our study and that of the others. Over the course of time, community's vaccine acceptance levels might change due to the availability of information and guidelines about COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant and lactating mothers.

This study identified that residence, being worried about COVID-19 disease, and attitude towards vaccines had a statistically significant association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Accordingly, mothers in the urban residence were 2.03 times more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine than rural ones. This study is supported by studies conducted in southwest Ethiopia.²³ The possible justification might be in the urban residence there is an exposure to different social Medias; which is easy to gain information about COVID-19 vaccine.

The other statistically significant factor in this study was respondents' worry about COVID-19 disease. In this regard, respondents who worried about COVID-19 disease were 3.46 times more likely to accept COVID-vaccine than their counterparts. This study is supported by a study conducted in different countries.²¹ The possible reason might be respondents may acquire more information about the illness and how to prevent it. In addition, respondents who worried about COVID-19 disease may focus on preventive measures like vaccination to minimize their worries.

Finally, the other significant factor was attitudes towards vaccines. Respondents who had a favorable attitude towards the vaccine were 8.54 times more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine than respondents who had an unfavorable attitude. This result is supported by studies conducted in 16 different countries²¹ and South Africa.¹⁸ The possible explanation might be the respondents who had a favorable attitude may trust the science of vaccines and observe the instructions given from different guidelines. The other reason might be; respondents who have favorable attitude towards the vaccine may accept the vaccine due to high desire and willingness to prevent the disease.

In Ethiopia, the burden of COVID-19 is high in all aspects especially it increases the burden on the health sector and many lives were lost due to the pandemic. To relieve the impact of the pandemic, vaccination is one of the best options. The public health importance of this study is to show the factors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant and postnatal mothers to take measure of preventing of COVID-19 disease and its complications. The other importance of this study is to provide information for health professionals, managers, stakeholders, and communities about factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and to act on them to minimize the risk of COVID-19 and maximize their effort on prevention.

5. Limitation of the study

This study was cross-sectional, a design that does not permit establishing cause-effect relationships. In addition, due to interviewer-administered nature of the data collection process, there might be a possibility of social desirability bias being introduced in this study. In Ethiopia, there is no standardized tool and the tool for this study was adapted from different literatures which may have socio-economic, cultural, and health literacy differences. Even though the questionnaire was pre-tested before the start of actual data collection, still there may have limitations.

6. Conclusion

In this study, the willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination was low. Residence, worry about COVID-19 disease, and attitudes towards vaccine were factors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Evidence-based and tailored information on COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to pregnant and postnatal mothers for both rural and urban residences to improve attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines and increase vaccination rates.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Gondar (VP/RTT/05/2924/2021) and a letter of support was gained from the Central Gondar Zone health office and each Hospital administrates. Written consent was obtained from study subjects. For confidentiality purpose the names of patients were not included in the questionnaire. Furthermore, appropriate infection prevention practices and principles related to COVID-19 were considered during the data collection process.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Data sharing statements

The datasets collected and analyzed for this study are available from the principal investigator and can be attained on a reasonable request.

Funding statement

There is no funding for this work.

Authors’ contributions

All the authors had significant involvement in the conception and designing the study, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation of data, took part in drafting the article, revising the article, gave final approval of the version to be published, have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Authorship & conflicts of interest statement

Manuscript title: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among women's in antenatal and postnatal care at Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

Category 1.

Conception and design of study: Eden Bishaw Taye, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Haymanot Alem Muche, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega, Tsion Tadesse Haile, and Agumas Eskezia Tiguh.

Acquisition of data: Eden Bishaw Taye, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Haymanot Alem Muche, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega, Tsion Tadesse Haile, and Agumas Eskezia Tiguh.

Analysis and/or interpretation of data: Eden Bishaw Taye, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Haymanot Alem Muche, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega, Tsion Tadesse Haile, and Agumas Eskezia Tiguh.

Category 2, Drafting the manuscript: Eden Bishaw Taye, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Haymanot Alem Muche, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega, Tsion Tadesse Haile, and Agumas Eskezia Tiguh, Revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content: Eden Bishaw Taye, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Haymanot Alem Muche, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega, Tsion Tadesse Haile, and Agumas Eskezia Tiguh Category 3.

Approval of the version of the manuscript to be published (the names of all authors must be listed):

Eden Bishaw Taye, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Haymanot Alem Muche, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega, Tsion Tadesse Haile, and Agumas Eskezia Tiguh.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that we have no competing interests.