Influenza vaccination coverage among Polish pregnant women

Abstract Background Despite strong recommendations, influenza vaccination in pregnacy is still a controversy in Poland. Therefore, this study evaluates vaccination uptake and its determinants, as well as knowledge about influenza among Polish pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional study based on an anonymous questionnaire was conducted between September 2019-February 2020 among consecutive pregnant women admitted to obstetric wards in 2 teaching hospitals located in Szczecin, Poland. Results Response rate was 88,6%. A median age of 210 respondents was 30 years (range: 16-44); 66.7% reported chronic diseases. Only 16.7% believed that they are at risk regarding influenza, 24.3% had ever received influenza vaccine (5.9% reported receiving vaccination in the 2019/2020 season); only 9.0% were planning on being vaccinated against influenza in the following season. The main reasons for not being vaccinated were lack of confidence in vaccine effectiveness (52.8%), concerns about side effects (26.1%) and lack of information about influenza vaccination in pregnancy (23.0%). Most respondents (89.0%) had heard about influenza vaccination, however, the mean knowledge score about influenza was 8.9 out of 17. Those who had heard about influenza vaccination were more likely to be immunized than those who did not (26.7% vs 4.3% respectively; p = 0.02). The uptake in those with a vaccinated family member was higher than in the group with no vaccination in family (48.8% vs 8.6% respectively; p < 0.001). Respondents who had obstetrician's recommendation regarding influenza vaccination had higher immunization coverage than those who did not (57.9% vs 20.9%; p = 0.003). Conclusions The influenza vaccination uptake in the population of Polish pregnant women is disturbingly low. Improved information channels and education strategies, specifically guided by obstetricians, are needed to increase the uptake. A recommendation from family may positively influence vaccine acceptance. Key messages The influenza vaccination uptake in the pregnant women in Poland needs to be improved. Obstetricians and GPs should maximize their efforts to play a more active role in influenza immunization communication and delivery among pregnant women.