Vaccination in pregnancy - a study in maternity hospitals of the Pilsen Region, Czech Republic

Vaccination in pregnancy is an important preventive measure against a number of infections. Since the vaccination coverage data for pregnant women in the Czech Republic are scarce, a study was carried out in the Pilsen Region.

In the 6-week Postpartum Care Centres of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the Pilsen University Hospital and the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Departments of the Klatovy and Domažlice Hospitals, between 1 October and 31 December 2024, postpartum mothers were asked to fill out printed questionnaires to collect basic data on an anonymous basis (age group, education level, region of residence, information about the possibility of vaccination against influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, and pertussis, its completion during pregnancy, and specialty of the informing health professional). Questionnaire data were entered into the Epi-Info database to be analysed. The χ2 test was used for statistical testing at a significance level of 5%.

In the three-month study period, 836 women gave birth at the above-listed clinics and 313 (37.4%) of them completed the questionnaire. Of the total number of respondents, 85 women (27.2%) were vaccinated with at least one of the four vaccines during pregnancy, varying from 21.9 to 28.3% between centres. Receiving influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine and RSV vaccine, and pertussis vaccine was reported by 1.6%, 1.3%, and 25.9% of postpartum mothers, respectively. The highest vaccination coverage was found in the 30-39 year age group and in women with tertiary education. Pertussis vaccine was recommended to pregnant women most often (47.6%) in comparison with COVID-19 vaccine mentioned least often. Of the 85 vaccinated women, 76 (24.3%) had at least 1 vaccine on recommendation. Information about the possibility of vaccination was most often provided by gynaecologists and adult general practitioners. Vaccination against the listed respiratory infections was reported quite rarely by women without prior information: only nine pregnant women (2.9%) did so.

The study in maternity hospitals in the Pilsen Region confirmed low vaccination coverage in pregnancy. At the same time, information on the importance of vaccination appeared to be inadequate, especially regarding the prevention of RSV and COVID-19 infection. Gynaecologists are currently the most frequent source of information. The unfavourable situation can be improved by joint expert opinion of medical societies and by raising awareness of the general population on this issue.