Influenza vaccine in pregnant women: immunization coverage and associated factors

OBJECTIVES To describe the immunization coverage of the influenza vaccine for pregnant women, and factors associated to vaccination compliance. METHODS This is a prospective, descriptive study including 300 women who had just given birth at Hospital and Maternity Santa Joana in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire applied by a trained evaluator during October 2010. RESULTS The mean age of mothers was 30.5 years; 231 (77%) were married; 164 (54.7%) were primigravidas; 192 (64%) had higher education; and 240 (80%) were employed. During the prenatal period, 234 (78%) received information about the influenza vaccine and 287 (95.7%) were immunized; 210 (73.2%) women knew about neonatal protection achieved through maternal vaccination. The factors associated with maternal acceptance of the vaccine were government campaign (133; 44.3%), and medical recommendation during prenatal visits (163; 54.3%). A total of 13 pregnant women refused vaccination for the following reasons: neglect (4), lack of time (4), lack of recommendation from their physician (3) or contraindication by physician (2), but 69.2% of them would have accepted immunization had they been informed about neonatal protection. CONCLUSIONS The fear of a pandemic and the public vaccination campaign had an important impact on the high immunization coverage for influenza on pregnant women. Medical recommendation and the government campaign were the main reasons for vaccine compliance.