Philippe Buchy1, Selim Badur2, George Kassianos3, Scott Preiss4, John S Tam5. 1. GSK, 23 Rochester Park, Singapore 139234, Singapore. Electronic address: philippe.x.buchy@gsk.com. 2. GSK, Büyükdere Caddesi No:173 1. Levent Plaza B Blok, 34394 Istanbul, Turkey. 3. President of the British Global & Travel Health Association, Chairman of RAISE Pan- European Committee on Influenza, National Immunisation Lead Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom, Board Director of the European Working Group on Influenza. 4. GSK, 20 Avenue Fleming, 1300 Wavre, Belgium. 5. Chairman of the Asia Pacific Alliance for the control of influenza (APACI); Adjunct Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended influenza vaccination for all pregnant women worldwide and the prioritisation of pregnant women in national influenza vaccination programmes. Nevertheless, vaccination rates in pregnant women often remain much lower than national targets. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and risks associated with influenza infection and vaccination during pregnancy, and to consider obstacles that work against influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy. RESULTS: There is strong evidence that maternal and foetal outcomes can be compromised if women develop influenza infections during pregnancy. Influenza vaccines have been administered to millions of pregnant women and have demonstrated benefits in terms of disease prevention in mothers and their infants. There is a consensus amongst several recommending authorities that influenza vaccines may be safely administered during all stages of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals are recognised as the most important influencers of vaccine uptake, being well placed to recommend vaccination and directly address safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Despite data supporting the value of influenza vaccination during pregnancy, vaccine uptake remains low globally. Low uptake appears to be largely due to ineffective communication with pregnant women about the risks and benefits of influenza vaccination. A graphical abstract is available online.
BACKGROUND: In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended influenza vaccination for all pregnant women worldwide and the prioritisation of pregnant women in national influenza vaccination programmes. Nevertheless, vaccination rates in pregnant women often remain much lower than national targets. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and risks associated with influenza infection and vaccination during pregnancy, and to consider obstacles that work against influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy. RESULTS: There is strong evidence that maternal and foetal outcomes can be compromised if women develop influenza infections during pregnancy. Influenza vaccines have been administered to millions of pregnant women and have demonstrated benefits in terms of disease prevention in mothers and their infants. There is a consensus amongst several recommending authorities that influenza vaccines may be safely administered during all stages of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals are recognised as the most important influencers of vaccine uptake, being well placed to recommend vaccination and directly address safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Despite data supporting the value of influenza vaccination during pregnancy, vaccine uptake remains low globally. Low uptake appears to be largely due to ineffective communication with pregnant women about the risks and benefits of influenza vaccination. A graphical abstract is available online.
Authors: Théophile Baïssas; Florence Boisnard; Inmaculada Cuesta Esteve; Marta Garcia Sánchez; Christine E Jones; Thierry Rigoine de Fougerolles; Litjen Tan; Olivier Vitoux; Christina Klein Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-11-29 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Inna Tulaeva; Bernhard Kratzer; Raffaela Campana; Mirela Curin; Marianne van Hage; Antonina Karsonova; Ksenja Riabova; Alexander Karaulov; Musa Khaitov; Winfried F Pickl; Rudolf Valenta Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2020-07-07 Impact factor: 7.561