Low awareness of influenza vaccination among pregnant women and their obstetricians: a population-based survey in Beijing, China

Abstract

We assessed how an awareness of influenza vaccination might influence both the willingness of pregnant women to be vaccinated and the readiness of obstetricians to recommend antenatal influenza vaccination in Beijing, China. From March to April 2016, we surveyed pregnant women who were attending antenatal clinics at eight hospitals in Beijing, along with obstetricians at the same clinics. Demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral information regarding influenza vaccination were collected using structured questionnaires. Consent and completed questionnaires were obtained from 988 of 1009 pregnant women and 165 of 173 obstetricians. Only 113 (11.4%) pregnant women reported being willing to receive an influenza vaccine during their pregnancies. Willingness to receive an influenza vaccination was positively associated with ever having a history of vaccination or influenza (aOR=6.74, 95%CI: 1.72-26.4, P=0.006), perceiving benefits of vaccination (aOR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.00-2.79, P=0.050), and having a higher level of influenza knowledge (aOR=82.2, 95%CI: 21.7-311.1, P<0.001). Among obstetricians, only 19.4% reported being willing to recommend influenza vaccination to their pregnant patients and 15.2% reported knowledge that influenza vaccination during pregnancy was recommended by China's National Health Commission. Neither pregnant women nor their obstetricians were aware of Chinese government recommendations that antenatal influenza vaccination should be encouraged and provided. Pregnant women and their obstetricians were ill-informed of the relevant evidence. It is in emergent need to train and disseminate the updated evidence on influenza vaccination to obstetricians. It also warranted more high-quality trials regarding influenza vaccination during pregnancy to address public concern.

Predictors for influenza vaccination among Thai pregnant woman: The role of physicians in increasing vaccine uptake

“…A recent population-based survey in China has reported only 11% of pregnant women reported being willing to receive an influenza while pregnant. 34 The same survey also indicated that only 20% of the obstetricians being willing to recommend influenza vaccination to their pregnant women. Other study has shown a systematic different in socio-demographic and health characteristics of those who decided to get vaccinated with an influenza vaccine.…”

“…In other words, a higher proportion of unvaccinated women believed that they were at risk of influenza infection or exposure compared with those who then unvaccinated, but later got the vaccine, which seems illogical. This might be explained that when translated into Thai language, the "influenza Age, median (IQR) 29 (28)(29)(30)(31)(32) 31 (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38) .20…”

“…Pregnant women are considered a priority group for influenza vaccination by the World Health Organization, but hesitancy of both physicians and pregnant women about the safety of medical interventions during pregnancy may be a barrier to increasing vaccination coverage rates. A recent population‐based survey in China has reported only 11% of pregnant women reported being willing to receive an influenza while pregnant . The same survey also indicated that only 20% of the obstetricians being willing to recommend influenza vaccination to their pregnant women.…”

Clinical Analysis of 9 Cases of Neonatal Influenza A

“…In uenza vaccination of pregnant women not only effectively prevents maternal in uenza during the in uenza season, but also produces protective antibodies that can pass through the placental barrier; and thus effectively prevents infection in infants under 6 months of age who are not suitable for in uenza vaccination [14][15] . In developed countries such as the United States, the in uenza vaccination rate for pregnant women has approached or exceeded 50% [16][17] , while the in uenza vaccination rate of pregnant women in China has been very low [18] . The latest guidelines suggest [19] that pregnant women be vaccinated at any stage of pregnancy, and that the prevention of contracting in uenza by infants under 6 months of age occur through the vaccination of their mothers during pregnancy, and also of their family members and caregivers.…”

Clinical analysis of 9 cases of neonatal influenza A

“…Influenza vaccination of pregnant women not only effectively prevents maternal influenza during the influenza season, but also produces protective antibodies that can pass through the placental barrier; and thus effectively prevents infection in infants under 6 months of age who are not suitable for influenza vaccination [14][15] . In developed countries such as the United States, the influenza vaccination rate for pregnant women has approached or exceeded 50% [16][17] , while the influenza vaccination rate of pregnant women in China has been very low [18] . The latest guidelines suggest [19] that pregnant women be vaccinated at any stage of pregnancy, and that the prevention of contracting influenza by infants under 6 months of age occur through the vaccination of their mothers during pregnancy, and also of their family members and caregivers.…”