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A CDC study on flu vaccination coverage during pregnancy showed that patients are 7 times more likely to be vaccinated when a healthcare professional offers a vaccine during a visit 1

  • You play a crucial role in helping keep pregnant women and their newborns healthy and ensuring your patients are protected by recommended vaccines 1-4
  • During pregnancy, women must make many difficult decisions and they look to their healthcare provider for advice 1-4
  • The main barriers preventing the uptake of Maternal Immunization by patients and healthcare professionals include lack of disease knowledge and concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy 2 5-7
  • Studies confirm that your recommendation and offer of vaccines is essential to increase the rate of vaccine acceptance 1 8 9
  • However, in certain cases stocking the vaccine is not always feasible, therefore according to the CDC, it is critical to make a strong recommendation and refer the patient to another immunization provider 8 10

Patient knowledge and awareness are key drivers to boost vaccination acceptance 11

Women who have sufficient information and are reassured about the safety of maternal vaccination, are more likely to consider it as an option. Conversely, practical concern over time, cost and needles may undermine acceptance. 11

 

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

References:

  1. CDC. Pertussis (Whooping cough). Clinical Information for Healthcare Professionals. Letter to Providers: Tdap and Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women. [accessed February 2018]; Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/professionals/providers-letter-pregnant-2014.pdf
  2. Tan TQ, et al. The vaccine handbook: A practitioner’s guide to maximizing use and efficacy across the lifespan. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2017;4-6.
  3. Ding H, et al. Influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women – United States, 2014-2015 Influenza Season. MMRV. 2015;64:1000-1005.
  4. Munoz FM. Pertussis vaccine in pregnant women: safety and uptake. Vaccine Develop Ther. 2016;6:1-8. [accessed February 2018]; Available at: https://www.dovepress.com/pertussis-vaccin-in-in-pregnant-women-safety-and-uptake-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VDT#
  5. MacDougall DM, Halperin SA. Improving rates of maternal immunization: challenges and opportunities. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2016;12:857-865.
  6. The National Vaccine Advisory Committee: reducing patient and provider barriers to maternal immunizations: approved by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee on June 11, 2014. Public Health Rep. 2015;130:10-42. [accessed February 2018]; Available at: https://www.ncbi.nml.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4245282/
  7. Wilson RJ, et al. Understanding factors influencing vaccination acceptance during pregnancy globally: A literature review. Vaccine. 2015;33:6420-6429.
  8. Koepke R, et al. Pertussis and Influenza Vaccination Among Insured Pregnant Women – Wisconsin, 2013-2014. MMWR. 2015;64(27):746-750.
  9. CDC Tdap Vaccination, Internet Panel Surveys, 2014-2015. [accessed February 2018]; Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/tdap-report.html
  10. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Letter to professionals. [accessed February 2018]; Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/downloads/fs-hcp-tdap-vaccine-referral.pdf
  11. Healy CM, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women and their providers towards recommendations for immunization during pregnancy. Vaccine. 2015.33;41:5445-5451.