Are pregnant women getting vaccinated for influenza?

It is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated for influenza each year. Pregnant women are included as a priority group on this list because they are at increased risk for complications and hospitalization from influenza. The goal of this study was to determine the proportion of women who were offered influenza vaccine during pregnancy and the proportion who actually received the vaccine during influenza season. To do this, the authors abstracted data from the medical records of 118 women who received obstetric care at a hospital in Detroit, MI between October 1, 2006 and March 30, 2007. Study results indicated that 20% of women were offered influenza vaccine during pregnancy and 18% were vaccinated. Data regarding seasonal variation, Medicaid status, and prenatal care patterns will also be presented. The ACIP guidelines regarding influenza vaccination for pregnant women may not be impacting vaccination rates for women in Detroit, MI. During this presentation, the authors will discuss reasons for low adherence to the ACIP guidelines and suggest ways to improve vaccine uptake.