Vaccine eligibility and acceptance among ambulatory obstetric and gynecologic patients

To assess vaccine eligibility and factors associated with vaccine acceptance among ambulatory obstetric and gynecologic patients.

An anonymous office-based survey was administered to women seeking ambulatory obstetric and gynecologic care at a large women's hospital from December 2007 to July 2008. Information collected included: demographics, medical and vaccination history, interest in receiving vaccines and attitudes towards vaccine providers. Vaccine eligibility was based on age and/or self-reported risk factors in accord with the 2007-2008 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adult immunization schedule. Vaccine eligibility was examined using descriptive statistics, and demographic characteristics were compared using chi-squared analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to assess factors associated with participants' willingness to accept vaccines from their obstetrician-gynecologist.

A total of 1441 women completed the survey. The majority of participants (87%) would accept vaccines if recommended by their obstetrician-gynecologist. The primary factors associated with vaccine acceptance were having less than a high school education, being privately insured, currently being pregnant, reporting a history of vaccinations and previously receiving vaccinations from an obstetrician-gynecologist. A significant portion of participants were eligible for the hepatitis B, influenza and HPV vaccines (≥ 50% for each). The type of vaccine did not influence willingness to accept vaccines from an obstetrician-gynecologist.

A majority of women appear eligible for, and will accept, vaccinations regardless of specific vaccine, if recommended by their obstetrician-gynecologist. These findings justify ongoing efforts to expand immunization services offered by obstetrician-gynecologists.