Table 3 Themes emerging from responses to the question ‘What is your view on having the COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, have you or would you have the COVID-19 vaccination when pregnant and why?’

Happy to have the vaccination:

‘When I was pregnant, the advice was not to have it, so I didn't. However, the advice changed soon after I gave birth. If I was pregnant now, with the advice as it is, I would definitely have it so as to give myself protection against the virus in order to keep my baby safe.’ Respondent 32

‘Definitely would have had it to protect myself and pass the antibodies onto my unborn child. I know of too many pregnant women who have had covid.’ Respondent 21

‘I thought it was important to receive it to protect my baby, family, patients and staff in work.’ Respondent 3

‘I am fully vaccinated, I felt it was the best option to protect both myself, my baby and everyone around me’ Respondent 136

‘I believe it’s very important to have the vaccine even in pregnancy, I had the first dose at 8 weeks and the second at 16. The added risk of complications and hospital admission in the third trimester are not worth the risk. Plus there is the other potential benefit of some immunity passing on to baby’. Respondent 169

‘Had it during pregnancy. Wanted to ensure I was protected and to hopefully pass antibodies onto baby’. Respondent 51

‘I would have it as the risk of complications related to the vaccine are a lot lower than the risks to me and unborn baby if caught covid and had a severe case.’ Respondent 36

‘I had both doses whilst pregnant. I figured the risks of catching it were worse than the risks of having the vaccine.’ Respondent 125

Concerns around the vaccine

‘It’s very hard to make the decision. Obviously, I would not want to catch covid and having the vaccine would reduce that chance. However, because of the initial information to not have the vaccine when pregnant it would make me more cautious. I think I would like to read up on the vaccines before and weigh up the risk vs benefit.’ Respondent 43

‘I delayed my vaccination until after the first trimester. I have now had both vaccinations and feel a lot safer.’ Respondent 124

‘I have had my first vaccine (I was 28 weeks pregnant) and having my second vaccine next week. This is a very personal choice and having it or not having it should be down to the pregnant woman and her individual research and beliefs.’ Respondent 110

Would not choose to have the vaccine

‘I wouldn’t have it as there no long term data available as to how this may or may not affect a baby either in utero or later in life.’ Respondent 39

‘Declined vaccine—not enough evidence it is safe for baby.’ Respondent 103

‘I personally wouldn't have cos there's no evidence on what it does to unborn but I had it only 2 to 5 months before getting pregnant so suppose there's still risks we may not know about.’ Respondent 149

‘I have not had the COVID-19 vaccine during my pregnancy. Although there is evidence to support its use during pregnancy I personally feel that it is too early to see any affects it could have on my child in their future.’ Respondent 111

‘I have not had my covid vaccination during pregnancy as I don’t believe there is enough evidence regarding that both myself and my baby will be fine.’ Respondent 194

‘No. I would have been too worried as to what the affects may have been on my baby. Not enough research over time that I have seen gave me the confidence that I would risk it. Self-isolation, I feel was safer than having a vaccine that I was not 100% on. If in the future after more people have received the vaccine it was offered and I could see many pregnant women had given birth and the babies had developed with no issues then I would reconsider.’ Respondent 7

‘I probably wouldn’t because it’s so new and I would isolate and have it later, which is pretty much what did happen with me. Purely to err on the safe side.’ Respondent 40