Influenza and Tdap Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women - United States, April 2018

Abstract

Vaccinating pregnant women with influenza and tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines can reduce the risk for influenza and pertussis for themselves and their infants. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all women who are or might be pregnant during the influenza season receive influenza vaccine, which can be administered any time during pregnancy (1). The ACIP also recommends that women receive Tdap during each pregnancy, preferably from 27 through 36 weeks' gestation (2). To assess influenza and Tdap vaccination coverage among women pregnant during the 2017-18 influenza season, CDC analyzed data from an Internet panel survey conducted during March 28-April 10, 2018. Among 1,771 survey respondents pregnant during the peak influenza vaccination period (October 2017-January 2018), 49.1% reported receiving influenza vaccine before or during their pregnancy. Among 700 respondents who had a live birth, 54.4% reported receiving Tdap during their pregnancy. Women who reported receiving a provider offer of vaccination had higher vaccination coverage than did women who received a recommendation but no offer and women who did not receive a recommendation. Reasons for nonvaccination included concern about effectiveness of the influenza vaccine and lack of knowledge regarding the need for Tdap vaccination during every pregnancy. Provider offers or referrals for vaccination in combination with patient education could reduce missed opportunities for vaccination and increase vaccination coverage among pregnant women.

Conflict of interest statement

All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Figures

FIGURE 1

Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and influenza vaccination coverage among women with a recent live birth — Internet panel survey, United States, April 2018 * Weighted percentage of women who reported 1) receiving influenza vaccine before or during pregnancy since July 1, 2017, and receiving Tdap vaccine during most recent pregnancy; 2) receiving influenza vaccine before or during pregnancy since July 1, 2017, but not receiving Tdap vaccine during most recent pregnancy; 3) receiving Tdap vaccine during most recent pregnancy but not receiving influenza vaccine before or during pregnancy since July 1, 2017; or 4) not receiving influenza vaccine before or during pregnancy since July 1, 2017, and not receiving Tdap vaccine during most recent pregnancy.

FIGURE 2

Main reasons for not receiving influenza vaccine or tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) among pregnant women who did not receive influenza vaccine (n = 817) or Tdap (n = 297) — Internet panel survey, United States, April 2018 * Main reason for not receiving influenza vaccination among women pregnant any time during October–January in the 2017–18 influenza season who were not vaccinated as of early April 2018 (n = 817). Excluded women who were not vaccinated but did not provide information on the reason for not being vaccinated (n = 1). † Main reason for not receiving Tdap among women who were recently pregnant at the time of the survey (March 28–April 10, 2018), had a live birth, and were not vaccinated during their most recent pregnancy (n = 297). Excluded women who were not vaccinated but did not provide information on the reason for not being vaccinated (n = 7).