OBJECTIVE: 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. STUDY DESIGN: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.
OBJECTIVE: 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. STUDY DESIGN: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.
Authors: Beth A Halperin; Donna MacKinnon-Cameron; Shelly McNeil; Jennifer Kalil; Scott A Halperin Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2014 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Allison T Chamberlain; Katherine Seib; Kevin A Ault; Eli S Rosenberg; Paula M Frew; Marielysse Cortes; Ellen A S Whitney; Ruth L Berkelman; Walter A Orenstein; Saad B Omer Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2016-04-15 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Jennifer P King; Kayla E Hanson; James G Donahue; Jason M Glanz; Nicola P Klein; Allison L Naleway; Frank DeStefano; Eric Weintraub; Edward A Belongia Journal: Vaccine Date: 2020-01-25 Impact factor: 3.641