How often do outpatient obstetric practices carry seasonal influenza vaccine for administration to pregnant women

Pregnant women are at higher morbidity risk from seasonal influenza. Seasonal influenza vaccination administered during pregnancy is safe for the mother and fetus, and maternal vaccine-related immunity is conferred to the new born for the first few months of life. However seasonal influenza vaccination rates among pregnant women are relatively low. While previous study indicates provider recommendation as the strongest factor associated with vaccination, and most women trust their provider for medical recommendations, less data is available indicating whether office practices carry vaccine. Our goals are to determine how often obstetric offices carry seasonal influenza vaccine, and to determine provider attitudes and knowledge regarding vaccine administration. We surveyed 103 obstetricians at 67 different office-based practices in the downstate New York region. While 99% of providers indicated pregnant women should be vaccinated, 51% of their practices didn't carry vaccine. One quarter of providers felt it the responsibility of another provider or entity to administer vaccine. Most providers indicated the vaccine was safe (86%) and effective (88%). A total of 44% of providers identified inadequate financial reimbursement as an obstacle to carrying vaccine, as was patient safety concerns (43%) and perceived liability issues (23%). We conclude that more provider offices need to administer vaccine, especially since pregnant women rely on their obstetricians for medical guidance and care. Providers need to be assured of protection from liability, and better efforts are needed to promote the excellent vaccine safety record