Influenza and pertussis vaccination of women during pregnancy in Victoria, 2015–2017

Influenza and pertussis vaccination of women during pregnancy in Victoria, 2015–2017

“…To the Editor : We read with interest the recent publication by Rowe and colleagues . The authors reported low influenza vaccine coverage (39%) among pregnant women in Victoria from 2015 to 2017.…”

“…The authors reported low influenza vaccine coverage (39%) among pregnant women in Victoria from 2015 to 2017. Individual‐level factors associated with this finding included greater maternal age, primigravidity, early antenatal care and GP‐led antenatal care …”

Protecting pregnant women and their newborn from life‐threatening infections

“…Despite strong recommendations by advisory groups, including the World Health Organization, uptake of influenza vaccination by pregnant women, in particular, is low. In their study published in this issue of the MJA , Rowe and her co‐authors report that, after seven years of a program for vaccinating pregnant women in Victoria against influenza, coverage remains suboptimal (61% in 2017), but is higher for pertussis vaccination (82%), publicly funded since 2015. In England, the corresponding rates were 47.2% for influenza vaccination (2017–18 season) and 68.2% for pertussis vaccination (July–September 2018)…”

“…Of major concern is the lower coverage among pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) women reported by Rowe and colleagues . Earlier studies have identified endorsement by health care providers as a strong indicator of maternal vaccination uptake .…”

“…Although vaccination prior to the peak influenza period is ideal, providers should ensure that pregnant women are vaccinated beyond the traditional influenza vaccination season so that they are protected all year round. As Rowe and colleagues conclude, system‐level structural changes are needed to improve maternal vaccination coverage, in addition to education about its risks and benefits.…”