Barriers to influenza vaccination among pregnant women

Despite pregnant women's increased morbidity and mortality from influenza, vaccination rates remain low. This study intended to evaluate barriers to pregnant women's uptake of influenza vaccine.

A survey was designed that assessed participant demographics, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and general experiences with seasonal and 2009 novel H1N1 influenza. Associations between patient characteristics and vaccine uptake were then assessed.

88 women completed the survey. Women who correctly answered >75% of knowledge questions regarding influenza were significantly more likely to accept the influenza vaccine (seasonal: p=0.04, H1N1: p<0.01). Conversely, patients who declined the vaccine were more likely to hold false beliefs, such as perceiving that the vaccine was not protective (seasonal: p<0.01, H1N1: p<.01) and that they were not at risk for influenza (seasonal: p< 0.01).

The reasons for influenza vaccine declination in pregnant patients include lower levels of knowledge and unfavorable attitudes regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and suggest the importance of education as a tool to improve vaccination uptake.