Altered Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Related Factors in Pregnant Women in Korea from 2007 to 2019

Pregnant women are at a high-risk of influenza infection. We have previously reported a low influenza vaccination coverage rate (4.0%) in Korea during the 2006-2007 influenza season. We conducted follow-up studies in 2011-2012 and 2018-2019 to observe changes in influenza vaccination coverage.

Women who delivered at Inha University Hospital (Incheon, Korea) in 2011-2012 and 2018-2019 were enrolled in the study. We surveyed the rate of influenza vaccination, perception scores, and related factors through telephonic interviews and compared the results from 2011-2012 and 2018-2019 with those from 2006-2007.

The number of survey respondents was 227 in 2006-2007, 152 in 2011-2012, and 171 in 2018-2019. The rate of vaccination coverage increased from 4.0% in 2006-2007 to 42.0% in 2011-2012 and 59.3% in 2018-2019. Perception scores also increased progressively from 3.8 in 2006-2007 to 4.2 in 2011-2012 and 5.1 in 2018-2019. Physician recommendations for influenza vaccination also increased from 4.8% in 2006-2007 to 36.8% in 2011-2012 and 49.7% in 2018-2019. The most common reason for not getting vaccinated was the lack of awareness of influenza vaccination during pregnancy (36.9%). The perception scores and physician recommendation rates were significantly lower for unvaccinated women (3.87 and 8.4%, respectively) than for vaccinated women (5.14 and 69.1%, respectively).

The influenza vaccination coverage rate in pregnant women has increased significantly since our study in 2006-2007. However, further improvement in the coverage rate is needed. There is a need for active and comprehensive publicity and education regarding this issue among physicians and pregnant women.