Influenza Vaccination In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Value of an in-depth analysis of unpublished data on the safety of influenza vaccines in pregnant women.

BackgroundUnpublished data can sometimes provide valuable information on the safety of biologic products.MethodsWe assessed information potentially available from regulatory authorities, manufacturers, and public health agencies. We explored 4 recently established vaccine registries, reviewed package inserts from 99 influenza vaccines, and contacted vaccine manufacturers and regulatory agencies for data on influenza vaccine safety in pregnant women.ResultsThe vaccine registries did not have sufficient data to analyze and there are problems with the quality of the information. The majority of package inserts provided no product-specific safety information for pregnant women, especially in less developed countries. The majority of available data come from reports gathered from passive adverse event reporting systems in the general population and reports of women enrolled in clinical trials of influenza vaccines who became pregnant at various times before or after receiving influenza vaccine. The information was not collected in a systematic manner, there are inconsistencies in the follow up of pregnant women and the available information about pregnancy outcomes. Considerable resources would be needed to systematically identify all of the information, try to obtain missing follow up information, and conduct analyses. There would be substantial limitations to any attempt to conduct a systematic analysis.ConclusionsThe value of trying to analyze unpublished data on the safety of influenza vaccine in pregnancy is limited and would require considerable resources to thoroughly investigate. Expanding efforts to identify and review unpublished data regarding the safety of influenza vaccines in pregnancy is not likely to produce information of high scientific value or information that could not be identified from publications and other publically available data.

IMMUNOGENICITY OF ADJUVANT INFLUENZA VACCINE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Recent epidemiological events showed that pregnant women are the most vulnerable part of population if there is the flu in the country and they die much more often than the rest part of people. That is why influenza vaccination of population including pregnant women is one of the priorities of public health service in our state. Worldwide experience of influenza vaccination of either adults or children by new adjuvant vaccine has caused our research of its efficiency among pregnant women. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of antibodies to influenza virus strain A/H1N1/v, A/H3N2 and B in pregnant women vaccinated adjuvant trivalent subunit vaccine. Our research is randomized and comparative on parallel groups. It was carried out within the demands of Russian Federation and International ethic norms adapted to such kind of researches. Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the vaccine was conducted in 27 pregnant women in the II trimester of gestation, and in 23 pregnant women in the III trimester of gestation, 19 non-pregnant women was in the control group. The level of antibodies in the serum was determined using a reaction of hemagglutination inhibition before and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the vaccination. Revealed that influenza vaccination of pregnant women in the II and III trimester, causes the increase in titers of antibodies to vaccine influenza strains A and B, to fully meet the required criteria CPMP, and does not differ from the nonpregnant group. In a month after vaccination the level of seroprotective against A/H1N1/v was 77.0%, A/H3N2 — 88.9%, B — 85.2% after vaccination in II trimester, and 87.0; 87.0; 91.35% in III trimester of gestation. The factor of seroconversion after vaccination in II trimester for A/H1N1/v was equal to 6.5, A/H3N2 — 7.2, B — 6.5, after vaccination in III trimester of pregnancy: 7.1, 6.5 and 5.1 correspondingly. At the same time revealed accelerated decline in antibody titer against influenza in pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women in a year after immunization The set of results of the study can be concluded that adjuvant trivalent subunit vaccine effective in vaccination of pregnant women in II and III trimester of pregnancy, and it is able to effectively provide immune protection against viruses of the flu A and B within all pregnancy long.

Do Thai Physicians Recommend Seasonal Influenza Vaccines to Pregnant Women? A Cross-Sectional Survey of Physicians' Perspectives and Practices in Thailand.

BackgroundPhysicians play a major role in influencing acceptance and uptake of vaccines. However, little is known about physicians’ perspectives on influenza vaccination of pregnant women in Thailand, for whom vaccine coverage is estimated at <1%.MethodIn 2013, a self-administered questionnaire on physicians’ perceptions, attitudes and practices related to influenza vaccination for pregnant women was distributed to 1,134 hospitals with an antenatal care clinic (ANC) in Thailand. At each hospital, one physician working at the ANC completed the survey. Predictors of routine recommendation of influenza vaccine were analyzed utilizing log-binomial regression.ResultsA total of 580 (51%) complete responses were received from physicians practicing at ANCs. A favorable attitude towards vaccination was expressed by 436 (75%) physicians, however only 142 (25%) reported routinely recommending influenza vaccine to pregnant women in their current practice. Physicians were more likely to recommend influenza vaccine routinely when they had more than three years of practice (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–2.3), had treated pregnant women for influenza (PR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.7), perceived the influenza vaccine to be effective (moderate level: PR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4; high level: PR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–2.9) and were aware of the Ministry of Public Health’s (MOPH) recommendation of influenza vaccination in pregnancy (PR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.7). Vaccine not being available, perception that policy was ambiguous and lack of awareness of MOPH recommendations were the most commonly cited barriers to routine recommendation of influenza vaccine.ConclusionDespite a national policy to vaccinate pregnant women for influenza, only 25% of Thai physicians working in ANCs routinely recommend vaccination. Strategies are needed to increase vaccine availability and free vaccine services, address clinician concerns over vaccine effectiveness and expand healthcare provider awareness of MOPH recommendations.

Seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnant women: knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in Italy

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards seasonal influenza and its vaccination among pregnant women.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out among a sample of women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy in Italy.ResultsThe 64.2% of the sample knew that the influenza is more dangerous for pregnant women. Women of older age, Italian, and who had a pregnancy at high-risk were more likely to have this knowledge. This knowledge was lower among women with none, primary or secondary school education. The majority of the respondents considered the vaccine not very useful during pregnancy. Those younger, unmarried, who knew that influenza is more dangerous for pregnant women, who knew that the vaccine could protect them, who reported a higher self-rated health status, and who had received information about influenza and its vaccination were more likely to have a positive attitude toward the usefulness of influenza vaccination in pregnancy. Women with secondary school education and with more than one child revealed a lower perception. Only 9.7% had received the vaccine and 21.4% of those unvaccinated would be willing to receive it. This positive attitude was higher among women with one child, who knew that the vaccine could protect them against the influenza, and who have a positive attitude toward the usefulness of the vaccination during pregnancy.ConclusionsHealth educational programs are needed to improve the knowledge about seasonal influenza and vaccination rate in pregnancy.

Determinants of seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnant women in Valencia, Spain.

BackgroundIn most countries the coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnant women is low. We investigated the acceptance, reasons for rejection and professional involvement related to vaccine information in pregnant women in Valencia, Spain.MethodsObservational retrospective study in 200 pregnant women, 100 vaccinated and 100 unvaccinated, were interviewed during the 2014/2015 vaccination campaign. Electronic medical records, immunization registry and telephone interviews were used to determine reasons for vaccination and immunization rejection.Results40.5% of pregnant women in the health department were vaccinated. The midwife was identified as source of information for 89% of women. The vaccine was rejected due to low perceptions of risk of influenza infection (23%), lack of information (19%), considering the vaccine as superfluous (16%), close proximity of delivery date (13%) and fear of side effects (12%).ConclusionPregnant women in Spain declined to be vaccinated due to under-estimation of the risk of contracting or being harmed by influenza, and lack of information. Interventions aiming to optimize vaccination coverage should include information addressing the safety and effectiveness of the current vaccine together with improved professional training and motivation.

Influenza vaccination of pregnant women protects them over two consecutive influenza seasons in a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACTBackground: We assessed the persistence of hemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) antibodies and the vaccine efficacy (VE) of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) following vaccination of a cohort of pregnant South African women during a second influenza season.Methods: A cohort of women who participated in a randomized placebo-controlled trial on the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of IIV3 in 2011 had HAI titers measured in 2012 and were monitored for influenza illness until the end of 2012.Results: The proportion of women with HAI titers ≥1:40 was significantly greater in vaccinees (63%) compared to placebo-recipients (22%; p < 0.001). VE in 2012 was 63.8% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: −33.7%, 90.2%); combined VE for 2011 and 2012 was 58.3% (95%CI: 0.2%, 82.6%).Conclusion: The majority of women who received IIV3 during pregnancy had HAI titers above the putative threshold for protection against influenza illness one year after vaccination and showed a trend towards protection against influenza disease.

The Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Birth Outcomes in a Cohort of Pregnant Women in Lao PDR, 2014-2015.

Some studies suggest that maternal influenza vaccination can improve birth outcomes. However, there are limited data from tropical settings, particularly Southeast Asia. We conducted an observational study in Laos to assess the effect of influenza vaccination in pregnant women on birth outcomes. We consented and enrolled a cohort of pregnant woman who delivered babies at 3 hospitals during April 2014-February 2015. We collected demographic and clinical information on mother and child. Influenza vaccination status was ascertained by vaccine card. Primary outcomes were the proportion of live births born small for gestational age (SGA) or preterm and mean birth weight. Multivariate models controlled for differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated women and influenza virus circulation. We enrolled 5103 women (2172 [43%] were vaccinated). Among the 4854 who had a live birth, vaccinated women were statistically significantly less likely than unvaccinated women to have an infant born preterm during the period of high influenza virus circulation (risk ratio [RR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI], .45-.70), and the effect remained after adjusting for covariates (adjusted RR, 0.69; 95% CI, .55-.87). There was no effect of vaccine on mean birth weight. Vaccinated mothers had a statistically significant elevated risk of having an infant born SGA (adjusted RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11–1.41). In this observational study, we found indirect evidence of influenza vaccine safety during pregnancy, and women who received vaccine had a reduced risk of delivering a preterm infant during times of high influenza virus circulation. Vaccination may prevent 1 in 5 preterm births that occur during periods of high influenza circulation.

Effectiveness of maternal influenza immunization in young infants in Japan.

Infants with influenza, particularly those younger than 1 year of age, are at high risk of developing a severe case or of dying. Recently, owing to the spread of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended maternal immunization to reduce the risk of influenza infection in pregnant women and infants. Such reporting is rare in Japan. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect on the newborn of influenza vaccination of pregnant women in Japan. The study included 200 infants who were born to healthy mothers at Kobayashi Ladies Clinic during influenza season from November 2010 to April 2011. The incidence of fever and laboratory-confirmed influenza was assessed in the infants for the 6 months after their birth. Of the 200 infants, four were excluded from this study due to loss to follow up. The 106 infants in the group whose mothers received the influenza vaccine (vaccinated group) before parturition were compared with the 90 infants in the group whose mothers did not receive the influenza vaccine (non-vaccinated group). Fever was noted in 36 infants (34.0%) in the vaccinated group and in 47 infants (52.2%) in the non-vaccinated group (P < 0.007), and the incidence of influenza was 0 (0%) and 5 (5.6%), respectively (P = 0.019). The incidence of fever and influenza among infants was significantly lower in the vaccinated group compared with the non-vaccinated group. Maternal influenza immunization should be actively recommended in Japan to protect newborns from influenza viruses.

Wie werden die Impfempfehlungen gegen saisonale Influenza und gegen humane Papillomaviren in gynäkologischen Praxen umgesetzt?

In Germany, seasonal influenza vaccination has been recommended for pregnant women since 2010 and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls since 2007. Gynecologists play an important role in the communication and vaccination of these two target groups. Moreover, seasonal influenza vaccination is also recommended for healthcare workers, as well as adults aged ≥ 60 years and individuals with underlying chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to gain first insights into the acceptance and implementation of the seasonal influenza und HPV vaccination recommendations in gynecological practices. In the context of the national influenza immunization campaign-which is jointly carried out by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA)-a questionnaire was sent together with influenza information kits to 7477 gynecologists in September 2014. Data from 1469 (20 %) gynecologists were included in the analysis. 72 % of respondents reported that they themselves received a seasonal influenza shot each year. The majority of gynecologists recommended seasonal influenza vaccination for pregnant women (93 %) and HPV vaccination for girls (97 %). The most commonly stated reasons against influenza vaccination were safety concerns. Those against HPV vaccination were effectiveness concerns. Additionally, for both vaccinations the provision of vaccine-related information to the patient was considered too time consuming.The high acceptance of seasonal influenza and HPV vaccination among gynecologists is discordant with the available vaccination coverage figures in Germany. Gynecologists must be reminded of their important role in the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases in adolescents and adult women. Immunization and communication skills should be considered more strongly as an integral part of medical education and further training for gynecologists.

Impact of Trivalent Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women on Recurrent Respiratory Infections and Weight Gain in the First 6 Months of Life

Impact of Trivalent Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women on Recurrent Respiratory Infections and Weight Gain in the First 6 Months of Life

Factors associated with seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnant women.

This observational study followed a cohort of pregnant women during the 2010-2011 influenza season to determine factors associated with vaccination. Participants were 1105 pregnant women who completed a survey assessing health beliefs related to vaccination upon enrollment and were then followed to determine vaccination status by the end of the 2010-2011 influenza season. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to explore factors associated with vaccination status and a factor analysis of survey items to identify health beliefs associated with vaccination. Sixty-three percent (n=701) of the participants were vaccinated. In the univariate analyses, multiple factors were associated with vaccination status, including maternal age, race, marital status, educational level, and gravidity. Factor analysis identified two health belief factors associated with vaccination: participant's positive views (factor 1) and negative views (factor 2) of influenza vaccination. In a multivariate logistic regression model, factor 1 was associated with increased likelihood of vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.72-2.78), whereas factor 2 was associated with decreased likelihood of vaccination (aOR=0.36; 95% CI=0.28-0.46). After controlling for the two health belief factors in multivariate analyses, demographic factors significant in univariate analyses were no longer significant. Women who received a provider recommendation were about three times more likely to be vaccinated (aOR=3.14; 95% CI=1.99-4.96). Pregnant women's health beliefs about vaccination appear to be more important than demographic and maternal factors previously associated with vaccination status. Provider recommendation remains one of the most critical factors influencing vaccination during pregnancy.

Designs of two randomized, community-based trials to assess the impact of influenza immunization during pregnancy on respiratory illness among pregnant women and their infants and reproductive outcomes in rural Nepal.

BackgroundAmong the most important causes of illness and death in both pregnant women and their newborn infants are respiratory infections including influenza. Pregnant women in North America have a 4 to 5 fold excess rate of hospitalization compared to non-pregnant women. Rates of infant hospitalization associated with influenza are much higher than in their mothers. Fully half of children hospitalized for influenza in the US are in the age group 0–5 months, a group where no vaccine is licensed. Data on influenza are much fewer in low income countries where the risks of serious morbidity and mortality are much higher. A recent trial in Bangladesh suggested that influenza immunization in pregnant women could have important protective effects against influenza in both mothers and their infants. These trials were designed to provide additional evidence about the effect of influenza vaccination in pregnancy in settings where influenza may circulate for up to ten months/year.Methods/DesignWe conducted a consecutive pair of community-based, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of influenza vaccination of pregnant women in a rural district in southern Nepal. Two trials were conducted to insure, as much as possible, the match of circulating strains with those included in the vaccine. Eligible women included all who were or became pregnant over a one year period. Each trial included a one year cohort of pregnant women who were individually randomized to the influenza vaccine available at the time of their enrollment or placebo. Exclusions included a history of allergy to vaccine components, prior influenza vaccine receipt, and for the second trial, participation in the first trial. Morbidity was assessed on a weekly basis for women throughout pregnancy and through 180 days post-partum. Infants were followed weekly through 180 days. Primary outcomes included: 1) incidence of influenza like illness in women, 2) incidence of laboratory confirmed influenza illness in infants, and 3) birthweight among newborn infants.DiscussionWe have presented the design and methods of two randomized trials of influenza immunization of pregnant women.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov: (NCT01034254).

Introducing seasonal influenza vaccine in low-income countries: an adverse events following immunization survey in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

ObjectiveIn 2012, Lao PDR introduced seasonal influenza vaccine in pregnant women, persons aged ≥50 years, persons with chronic diseases, and healthcare personnel. We assessed adverse events following immunization (AEFI).MethodsWe used a multistage randomized cluster sample design to interview vaccine recipients.FindingsBetween April and May 2012, 355 902 were vaccinated. Of 2089 persons interviewed, 261 (12·5%) reported one or more AEFI. The most commonly reported AEFIs were local reactions. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported; 16% sought medical care. Acceptance and awareness of vaccination were high.ConclusionsFollowing the introduction of seasonal influenza vaccine in Lao PDR, self-reported adverse events were mild.

Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women and Protection of Their Infants

Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women and Protection of Their Infants

Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women and Protection of Their Infants

Madhi SA, Cutland CL, Kuwanda L. Influenza vaccination of pregnant women and protection of their infants. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:918–31. Pregnant women are at risk for severe influenza from the second trimester to the early postpartum period, making them a priority group for seasonal influenza vaccination. Because pregnancy is characterized by the attenuation of cell-mediated immune responses, the efficacy of the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) in pregnant women may differ from that in nonpregnant women. Nevertheless, to date, no controlled trials have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of IIV during pregnancy. Furthermore, the vaccination of pregnant women may also confer partial protection against confirmed influenza in their infants. However, observational studies have had conflicting results with regard to the efficacy of the trivalent IIV during pregnancy in protecting infants against respiratory illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of IIV in pregnant women and their infants until 24 weeks after birth. The authors performed 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of trivalent IIV in pregnant women with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Healthy women aged 18 to 38 years with an estimated gestational age of 20 to 36 weeks were enrolled at 1 of 4 antenatal clinics in South Africa during the 2011 and 2012 influenza seasons. HIV-infected women who met these same eligibility criteria were enrolled during 2011. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive IIV or placebo. Active surveillance for influenzalike illness was conducted through weekly contact with the participants. Women and infants identified as having influenza-like illness were tested for influenza virus by means of a reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. All the mothers and infants in the HIV-infected cohort and a nested group of uninfected mother–infant dyads were enrolled in an intensive safety and immunogenicity study. Those women were provided with diary cards on which to document for 1 week the possible local and systemic reactions to the vaccination, and blood samples were collected for hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) studies. A total of 2116 HIV-uninfected pregnant women were enrolled (mean age, 26.2 years; mean gestational age, 26.8 weeks) and gave birth to 2049 live infants. In the immunogenicity subset, seroconversion rates for strains A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B(Victoria) among IIV recipients 1 month after immunization were 72.5%, 64.8%, and 92.3%, respectively; the rates among the placebo recipients were 8.1%, 2.7%, and 2.0%, respectively (P < .001 for all comparisons). Newborns of IIV recipients had higher HAI geometric mean titers for all the vaccine strains than did newborns of the placebo recipients, and they were also more likely to have an HAI titer of 1:40 or higher for A(H1N1) (81.1% vs 34.0%, respectively), A(H3N2) (60.0% vs 17.5%, respectively), and B (82.1% vs 43.7%, respectively) (P < .001 for all comparisons). The attack rate for RT-PCR–confirmed influenza among both the placebo recipients and their infants was 3.6%. The attack rates among IIV recipients and their infants were 1.8% and 1.9%, respectively, and the respective vaccine-efficacy rates were 50.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5–71.2) and 48.8% (95% CI, 11.6–70.4). A total of 194 HIV-infected women were included (mean maternal age, 28.2 years; mean gestational age, 27.3 weeks; baseline median CD4 T-cell count, 393.5 cells per μL; median level of plasma HIV-1 RNA, 1067 copies per milliliter). The attack rate for the placebo recipients was 17.0%, and the rate for IIV recipients was 7.0%; Literature Review

Using SMS to monitor adverse events following trivalent influenza vaccination in pregnant women.

Trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) has been recommended for pregnant women in Australia for more than a decade and funded since 2009, yet vaccination coverage remains low. Misperceptions of the safety of TIV in pregnancy have been identified as a major contributor to low vaccination rates. Ongoing safety monitoring with dissemination of results could help improve antenatal influenza vaccine uptake. To implement a real-time safety monitoring program for TIV administered to pregnant women. Between March and July 2013, a cohort of 3,173 pregnant women who received the 2013 TIV agreed to follow-up regarding possible adverse events following immunisation (AEFI); 3,047 (96%) provided a mobile telephone number and were sent a short message service (SMS) inquiring whether they had experienced an AEFI; attempts were made to contact the remaining 126 (4%) women by voice telephone call. Responses were obtained from 2,885 (90.9%) women, 413 (14.3%) of whom reported a suspected AEFI. Local reactions were the most frequently reported AEFI (4.9%), followed by headache (3.3%), fever (2.7%), fatigue (2.5%), diarrhoea (2.5%) and malaise (1.2%); 39 women (1.4%) sought medical advice and no serious vaccine-related AEFIs were identified. Response rates were higher for SMS compared to telephone (84% vs 63%; P < 0.001). These findings support the safety of TIV in pregnant women. Mobile phone technology proved an efficient method for timely surveillance of adverse events following vaccination. The low level of AEFI observed should be reassuring to antenatal patients and their providers and help promote TIV uptake.

Cost-effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnant women, health care workers and persons with underlying illnesses in Belgium

Risk groups with increased vulnerability for influenza complications such as pregnant women, persons with underlying illnesses as well as persons who come into contact with them, such as health care workers, are currently given priority (along with other classic target groups) to receive seasonal influenza vaccination in Belgium. We aimed to evaluate this policy from a health care payer perspective by cost-effectiveness analysis in the three specific target groups above, while accounting for effects beyond the target group. Increasing the coverage of influenza vaccination is likely to be cost-effective for pregnant women (median €6589 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained [€4073–€10,249]) and health care workers (median €24,096/QALY gained [€16,442–€36,342]), if this can be achieved without incurring additional administration costs. Assuming an additional physician's consult is charged to administer each additional vaccine dose, the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating pregnant women depends strongly on the extent of its impact on the neonate's health. For health care workers, the assumed number of preventable secondary infections has a strong influence on the cost-effectiveness. Vaccinating people with underlying illnesses is likely highly cost-effective above 50 years of age and borderline cost-effective for younger persons, depending on relative life expectancy and vaccine efficacy in this risk group compared to the general population. The case-fatality ratios of the target group, of the secondary affected groups and vaccine efficacy are key sources of uncertainty.

Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women and Protection of Their Infants

BackgroundThere are limited data on the efficacy of vaccination against confirmed influenza in pregnant women with and those without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and protection of their infants.MethodsWe conducted two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) in South Africa during 2011 in pregnant women infected with HIV and during 2011 and 2012 in pregnant women who were not infected. The immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of IIV3 in pregnant women and their infants were evaluated until 24 weeks after birth. Immune responses were measured with a hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, and influenza was diagnosed by means of reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assays of respiratory samples.ResultsThe study cohorts included 2116 pregnant women who were not infected with HIV and 194 pregnant women who were infected with HIV. At 1 month after vaccination, seroconversion rates and the proportion of participants with HAI titers of 1:40 or more were higher among IIV3 recipients than among placebo recipients in both cohorts. Newborns of IIV3 recipients also had higher HAI titers than newborns of placebo recipients. The attack rate for RT-PCR–confirmed influenza among both HIV-uninfected placebo recipients and their infants was 3.6%. The attack rates among HIV-uninfected IIV3 recipients and their infants were 1.8% and 1.9%, respectively, and the respective vaccine-efficacy rates were 50.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5 to 71.2) and 48.8% (95% CI, 11.6 to 70.4). Among HIV-infected women, the attack rate for placebo recipients was 17.0% and the rate for IIV3 recipients was 7.0%; the vaccine-efficacy rate for these IIV3 recipients was 57.7% (95% CI, 0.2 to 82.1).ConclusionsInfluenza vaccine was immunogenic in HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected pregnant women and provided partial protection against confirmed influenza in both groups of women and in infants who were not exposed to HIV. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01306669 and NCT01306682.)

Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women: Attitudes and Behaviors of Oregon Physician Prenatal Care Providers

In spite of increased risk of influenza complications during pregnancy, only half of US pregnant women get influenza vaccination. We surveyed physician prenatal care providers in Oregon to assess their knowledge and behaviors regarding vaccination of pregnant women. From September through November 2011, a state-wide survey was mailed to a simple random sample (n=1,114) of Oregon obstetricians and family physicians. The response rate was 44.5%. Of 496 survey respondents, 187 (37.7%) had provided prenatal care within the last 12months. Of these, 88.5% reported that they routinely recommended influenza vaccine to healthy pregnant patients. No significant differences in vaccine recommendation were found by specialty, practice location, number of providers in their practice, physician gender or years in practice. In multivariable regression analysis, routinely recommending influenza vaccine was significantly associated with younger physician age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-3.13] and greater number of pregnant patients seen per week (AOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.25-3.06). Among rural physicians, fewer obstetricians (90.3%) than family physicians (98.5%) had vaccine-appropriate storage units (p=0.001). Most physician prenatal care providers understand the importance of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. To increase influenza vaccine coverage among pregnant women, it will be necessary to identify and address patient barriers to receiving influenza vaccination during pregnancy.

Personal attitudes and misconceptions, not official recommendations guide occupational physicians’ vaccination decisions

IntroductionHealthcare personnel (HCP) are often under-vaccinated. The aim of this study was to evaluate occupational physicians’ potential role by assessing relations between their knowledge and attitudes regarding HCP vaccination and the extent to which official vaccination recommendations are communicated. MethodsCross-sectional survey, n=135 occupational physicians. ResultsOccupational physicians who treat HCP recommend vaccinations more often to HCP when they have better knowledge of official vaccination recommendations and a more positive attitude towards vaccination compared to physicians with less such knowledge or a more negative attitude. The attitude towards vaccination most strongly affects whether occupational physicians recommend the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: physicians with less positive attitudes recommend MMR to HCP in a more restricted way. A more positive attitude towards vaccination also relates to fewer misconceptions. Occupational physicians’ knowledge and attitude further influence the extent to which pregnant HCP receive vaccinations against influenza. Knowledge about official recommendations does not influence the recommendation of influenza vaccination for pregnant women. ConclusionsReasons for vaccination gaps in HCP might have their roots in occupational physicians’ incomplete knowledge of vaccination recommendations. Attitudes, which are related to misperceptions, also influence which vaccinations are recommended to HCP. Official recommendations, and not personal attitudes and misconceptions, should guide occupational vaccination behavior.