The crucial role of maternal care providers as vaccinators for pregnant women

Predictors of maternal pertussis vaccination acceptance among pregnant women in Norway

Maternal vaccination against pertussis is safe and provides effective protection against pertussis for the newborn, but the vaccine coverage rate remains generally low. Norway is currently planning for introduction of routine maternal pertussis vaccination. To assess maternal pertussis vaccination acceptance among pregnant Norwegian women, we surveyed women at 20-40 weeks gestation in 2019. Among the 1,148 pregnant women participating in this cross-sectional study, 73.8% reported they would accept pertussis vaccination during pregnancy if it was recommended, 6.9% would not accept and 19.2% were undecided. Predictors for low likelihood of accepting pertussis vaccination during pregnancy included low confidence in health authorities and in maternal pertussis vaccination safety and effectiveness, low awareness and adherence to influenza vaccination during pregnancy, and low awareness of pertussis vaccination. The major reasons reported for not accepting or being undecided about maternal pertussis vaccination were lack of information on vaccine safety for both mother and child. Most women reported that they would consult their general practitioner or a midwife for information if they were offered maternal pertussis vaccination. General practitioners and midwives were also regarded as the most trustworthy sources of information if the women were in doubt about accepting vaccination. We conclude that information addressing safety concerns and raising awareness about maternal pertussis vaccination could increase acceptance of maternal pertussis vaccination. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of the antenatal and primary health care services in providing such information to pregnant women.

Opportunities and challenges to the development and deployment of vaccines for pregnant women in Germany

Maternal immunisation is a powerful tool to protect both pregnant women and their children. A new maternal RSV vaccine holds promise to protect newborns from RSV-associated illness in the first few months of life, but no official recommendation has been made in Germany. Since RSV causes a significant burden of paediatric hospital admissions, we consider it a pertinent opportunity to review barriers to maternal vaccination in Germany, which might also apply to other settings. Access to vaccination for pregnant women in Germany is shaped by an interplay of legal, regulatory, institutional, and sociocultural factors, with a less permissive clinical research environment, delays in recommendation and roll-out, and lower acceptance by healthcare professionals and the population. Actionable recommendations to improve availability and uptake include coordination with other national regulatory bodies to reduce delays, awareness and literacy campaigns for health professionals and the general public, and capacity building for vaccine clinical research.

Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes and Practices of Midwives Regarding Maternal Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination: A Qualitative Study

The coverage of maternal vaccination against pertussis and, particularly, influenza is lower than expected. The lack of recommendation from healthcare providers conditions non-vaccination in pregnant women. The purpose was to determine the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and practices of midwives regarding maternal influenza and pertussis vaccination. A qualitative descriptive study based on semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with seventeen midwives was conducted, including purposive sampling and thematic analyses. Midwives had disparate knowledge and perceptions about the severity of influenza and pertussis in pregnant women, and influenza was not considered very serious. The vaccines were generally considered safe. However, because midwives did not have enough information about the safety of the influenza vaccine, there was a tendency not to recommend it. While most midwives had a positive attitude toward vaccination, their advocation for vaccination against influenza was not as clear as it was for pertussis. Not wanting to influence the decision and assuming an informative–facilitating role also led providers to recommend the influenza vaccine less frequently. Midwives are among the main sources of professional advice for pregnant women. Addressing their understanding and professional practices regarding maternal vaccination is key to change the attitude of pregnant women and thus increase vaccine uptake among them, particularly for influenza.

dTap vaccination uptake during pregnancy: Pregnant women-focused and health professionals-focused predictors in the Veneto Region (Italy)

BACKGROUND

Despite recommendations, the uptake of dTap maternal vaccination is still low in many countries. The reasons for this must be investigated both on the patient's and the healthcare professionals' sides.

METHODS

A record linkage study was performed linking Birth Assitance Certificates and dTap mothers' vaccination records (5183 deliveries) to describe the influence of socioeconomical and obstetrical-gynecological factors after the recommendations concerning dTap vaccination in pregnancy issued by the Italian Ministry of Health (August 2018). An interview was also administered to a subgroup of 656 new mothers on the occasion of the first vaccination of their newborns, in order to assess the dTap vaccination advice received from maternal care providers during pregnancy. A generalized linear model (binomial family, log link) was implemented to give a correct estimate of the mother's relative risk of being vaccinated.

RESULTS

Several pregnant women-focused factors are evident, but the most important ones are related to maternal care providers' practices: after mutual adjustment, the explicit advice towards dTap maternal vaccination given by the Obstetrician-Gynecologist or the Midwife is associated with a 12-fold increase in the dTap coverage.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiprofessional training is essential to make Obstetricians-Gynecologists and Midwives more confident in recommending dTaP maternal immunization.

Addressing an urgent global public health need: Strategies to recover routine vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic

Routine vaccination has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 37% of countries reporting continuing disruptions to vaccination services into 2021. These programs have been faced with the challenges of achieving high vaccination coverage rates (VCRs), as well as identifying and vaccinating those who missed recommended doses since the pandemic began. Declines in VCRs, even for short periods, can lead to an increase in disease outbreaks, place additional pressure on health systems, and leave communities across the world at risk of death and disease from vaccine-preventable diseases.In the face of these disruptions, select governments are implementing promising approaches to address low VCRs, some of which represent innovative solutions to advance short-term, as well as longer-term program improvement. However, expanded action is urgently required to fully recover vaccination programs and strengthen vaccine system infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique opportunity to modernize routine programs and corresponding infrastructure to meet today's and tomorrow's health challenges more effectively and efficiently. This can be achieved by prioritizing routine vaccination as an essential health service, improving access to vaccination across the life-course, strengthening data systems, ensuring sustainable immunization financing, and building confidence in vaccination.

Vaccination in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Vaccination during pregnancy can protect both the expecting mother and the unborn and newborn child from infectious diseases.

METHODS

This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective literature search on the immunological particularities of infectious diseases affecting pregnant women, unborn children, and neonates, with particular attention to the guidelines of the German Standing Committee on Vaccinations (Ständige Impfkommission, STIKO) and the pertinent guidelines.

RESULTS

Vaccination during pregnancy protects the expecting mother from a severe course of a number of different infectious diseases. Vaccination with inactivated vaccines against influenza, tetanus, and pertussis is effective, safe, and well tolerated. Women who are pregnant or of child-bearing age should be immunized against tetanus according to the STIKO recommendations. All pregnant women from the second trimester onward should receive an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine. The immunity acquired after vaccination with an acellular pertussis vaccine is present only for a limited time. In a cohort study involving 72,781 pregnant women, pertussis vaccination during pregnancy was found to yield 91% protection against pertussis for their subsequently born children in the first three months of life. Further types of vaccine can also be given during pregnancy if indicated. Additional reasonable measures to protect the health of mother and child include the vaccination of other persons in close contact as well as the closure of relevant vaccination gaps among young adults, particularly women of child-bearing age. Treating physicians play a crucial role in encouraging vaccine acceptance by their patients.

CONCLUSION

Maternal immunization is a safe and effective strategy for giving neo - nates passive immune protection against life-threatening infections by the vertical transmission of maternal antibodies until they are able to build up their own adaptive immunity.

An exploration of midwives' role in the promotion and provision of antenatal influenza immunisation: A mixed methods inquiry

PROBLEM

No South Australian study has previously investigated the role of midwives in the promotion and provision of antenatal influenza immunisation.

BACKGROUND

Influenza acquired in pregnancy can have serious sequalae for both mother and foetus. Recent studies have demonstrated that influenza vaccine in pregnancy is both safe and effective. Despite this, evidence suggests that vaccine uptake in pregnancy is suboptimal in both Australia and worldwide.

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of midwives in the promotion and provision of antenatal influenza vaccine and, to provide a statistical and thematic description of the barriers and enablers midwives encounter.

METHODS

This mixed method study incorporated a cross sectional on-line survey and in-depth interviews conducted with midwives, employed in urban and regional South Australia.

FINDINGS

Quantitative data were available for 137 midwives and 10 midwives participated in the interviews. Recruitment for the interview phase was through the last question on the survey. Whilst all midwives indicated that education and vaccine promotion were part of their role, immunisation knowledge varied between Registered Nurse/Midwives (RM/RN) 80% and Registered Midwives (RM) 48.90% (p = 0.001). Quantitative data showed that only 43% of midwives felt sufficiently educated to provide the vaccine. Midwives who had received formal immunisation training were more likely to recommend the vaccine 93.7% (p = 0.001). Qualitative data confirmed these results and identified the lack of immunisation education as a barrier to practise.

CONCLUSION

Midwives identified an immunisation knowledge deficit. Midwives who had received immunisation education were more likely to actively promote and provide the vaccine to pregnant women. These findings indicate the need for more immunisation education of midwives in both tertiary and practice settings.

Perceptions and attitudes towards vaccination during pregnancy in a peri urban area of Lima, Peru

BACKGROUND

Maternal immunization has the potential to reduce both maternal and infant morbidity and mortality by protecting women from complications during pregnancy as well as conferring protection for babies who are too young to be vaccinated. Limited evidence is available about the drivers of maternal immunization in middle-income countries such as Peru. Vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and influenza are recommended beginning in the second trimester in Peru; however, vaccination coverage has remained low in Peru compared to other countries in the region. As additional vaccines are recommended for administration in pregnancy, a better understanding of the perceptions and attitudes of pregnant women that influence vaccination are needed to design communication materials.

METHODS

We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to understand the individual level factors influencing pregnant women's vaccine uptake. We interviewed pregnant women about their knowledge, perceptions and experiences with vaccination during pregnancy. Community health workers recruited women in a peri urban area of Peru in April 2018.

RESULTS

Twelve women were interviewed, the majority of which had received vaccination during the current pregnancy. The most common reasons for vaccination were to protect the baby and because vaccines are effective. Concerns included vaccine safety during pregnancy and adverse effects on the unborn baby. Some women mentioned that because vaccines are given later in pregnancy, the unborn baby is stronger, so vaccines will not harm them. Women highlighted that the main reason for not being vaccinated was lack of information. They also noted that they were the decision-maker in whether or not they were vaccinated. Most women said that they trusted healthcare providers and that trust was linked to providing information through open communication.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, participants were supportive of maternal vaccination. They believed that vaccines were effective in protecting both their unborn baby and themselves. The main reason given for non-vaccination was lack of knowledge about vaccination in pregnancy. The strong desire expressed by study participants to get more information presents an opportunity for immunization programs to develop interventions that facilitate better information dissemination to pregnant women to increase vaccination uptake.

Knowledge and attitudes towards influenza and influenza vaccination among pregnant women in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy benefits mothers and children. Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries have no official influenza vaccination policies to date but are moving towards issuing such policies. Understanding determinants of influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy in these settings is important to inform policy decisions and vaccination rollout.

METHODS

We interviewed a convenience sample of women at antenatal care facilities in four counties (Nairobi, Mombasa, Marsabit, Siaya) in Kenya. We described knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccination and assessed factors associated with willingness to receive influenza vaccine.

RESULTS

We enrolled 507 pregnant women, median age was 26 years (range 15-43). Almost half (n = 240) had primary or no education. Overall, 369 (72.8%) women had heard of influenza. Among those, 288 (78.1%) believed that a pregnant woman would be protected if vaccinated, 252 (68.3%) thought it was safe to receive a vaccine while pregnant, and 223 (60.4%) believed a baby would be protected if mother was vaccinated. If given opportunity, 309 (83.7%) pregnant women were willing to receive the vaccine. Factors associated with willingness to receive influenza vaccine were mothers' belief in protective effect (OR 3.87; 95% CI 1.56, 9.59) and safety (OR 5.32; 95% CI 2.35, 12.01) of influenza vaccines during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Approximately one third of pregnant women interviewed had never heard of influenza. Willingness to receive influenza vaccine was high among women who had heard about influenza. If the Kenyan government recommends influenza vaccine for pregnant women, mitigation of safety concerns and education on the benefits of vaccination could be the most effective strategies to improve vaccine acceptance.

Global Perspectives on Immunization During Pregnancy and Priorities for Future Research and Development: An International Consensus Statement

Immunization during pregnancy has been recommended in an increasing number of countries. The aim of this strategy is to protect pregnant women and infants from severe infectious disease, morbidity and mortality and is currently limited to tetanus, inactivated influenza, and pertussis-containing vaccines. There have been recent advancements in the development of vaccines designed primarily for use in pregnant women (respiratory syncytial virus and group B Streptococcus vaccines). Although there is increasing evidence to support vaccination in pregnancy, important gaps in knowledge still exist and need to be addressed by future studies. This collaborative consensus paper provides a review of the current literature on immunization during pregnancy and highlights the gaps in knowledge and a consensus of priorities for future research initiatives, in order to optimize protection for both the mother and the infant.

Barriers and facilitators regarding influenza and pertussis maternal vaccination uptake: A multi-center survey of pregnant women in Italy

OBJECTIVE

In 2017, the Italian Ministry of Health issued the new 2017-19 National Plan of Vaccine Prevention and pregnant women were targeted to be vaccinated against influenza and pertussis. Our study aim was to assess the barriers and facilitators regarding maternal immunization acceptance among pregnant women after the launch of this program.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a multi-center survey in three Italian cities between March and June 2018. Collected data were analyzed anonymously, and included information about current recommendations of maternal immunization, antenatal care characteristics and reasons for accepting or rejecting vaccination.

RESULTS

A total of 743 pregnant women completed the survey. Half of the study population were aged 25-35 years and 88 % were Italian. Only 18 % pregnant women received advice to be vaccinated. In this group, the vaccine was recommended in most cases by an obstetrician-gynecologist (68 %) and during a routine antenatal visit (74 %). Self-reported influenza and pertussis vaccination coverage was 6.5 % (95 % confidence interval, 4.9 %-8.5 %) and 4.8 % (95 % confidence interval, 3.5 %-6.6 %), respectively. The main vaccination barriers identified were lack of vaccine recommendation by any health-care provider (81 %) and safety concerns (18 %). Respondents mentioned the willingness to protect their offspring (82 %) and themselves (66 %) and having received immunization advice by a maternal care provider (62 %), as the main vaccination facilitators.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of immunization advice by health-care providers and safety concerns were the main vaccination barriers against influenza and pertussis, among surveyed pregnant women. Vaccine delivery in the antenatal care setting could lead to increase of vaccine acceptance among pregnant women.

Insights and expectations for Tdap vaccination of pregnant women in Italy

BACKGROUND

Pertussis is a widespread vaccine-preventable disease, associated with an increasing trend to hospitalization among newborns. Pertussis in newborns can be fatal, and the most effective way to prevent it is maternal immunization (MI) with a reduced antigen content tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap). In Italy, the National Immunization Plan (NIP) 2017-2019 introduced de novo Tdap vaccination during each pregnancy at no cost for the recipient. Despite this, vaccination coverage is suboptimal. This survey of pregnant women across Italy was conducted to investigate their knowledge and expectations of Tdap.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Pregnant women up to 28th gestational weeks were interviewed by Telephone using a questionnaire with 16 questions. Statistics were descriptive.

RESULTS

The final sample recruited 600 respondents evenly distributed across Italy. The average duration of pregnancy at the time of the interview was 20.8 weeks (standard deviation [SD] 6.0). Most women (60.7%) were between 30 and 40 years of age. About half were aware of the risks of pertussis for newborns (54.5%) and the increased risk of hospitalization (59.8%); 47.2% were aware that Tdap MI was offered free of charge under the NIP. Safety information regarding the mother and newborn was considered the most important information in deciding whether to be vaccinated (47.4%), followed by safety information related only to the newborn (29.5%). About half (52.2%) stated that they would "certainly" accept MI, and 25.3% would like to receive more information. Gynecologists were the preferred healthcare providers (HCPs) for the provision of MI information (34.3%), followed by pediatricians (25.5%). Two-thirds of the respondents would prefer to be informed about MI before getting pregnant (66.0%). Vaccines investigated specifically for use in pregnancy were preferred by respondents. Overall, no relevant differences were observed between women pregnant for the first time and those with more than one pregnancy, nor between geographical regions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show room for improving the awareness and understanding of the risks of pertussis for infants and the protective role of MI. The pregnant women preferred to receive advice on MI from an HCP, primarily their gynecologist. They were most interested in information on the safety profile of Tdap during pregnancy, on the mother, fetus, and newborn. The potential impact of this study to support clinical practice of Healthcare Providers is highlighted in the Focus on the Patient section. [Formula: see text].

Pertussis vaccination in pregnancy: how many pediatric hospitalizations could be prevented?

Pertussis is a severe disease in children, especially in neonates and it is preventable by vaccination during pregnancy. After the observation of a 2-month-old toddler who needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe RSV plus Bordetella pertussis infection, we performed a review of all cases of pertussis admitted at the Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy, from 2012 to 2018. We retrieved 72 cases of admission for pertussis, 46% aging less than 3 months, 42% with at least one comorbidity. Two patients needed ICU admission. Pertussis vaccination during pregnancy could contribute to reduce this burden of hospitalizations in youngest subjects.

Expected challenges of implementing universal pertussis vaccination during pregnancy in Quebec: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Vaccination of all pregnant women with an acellular pertussis-containing vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis [Tdap]) was recently recommended in Canada, ideally between 27 and 32 weeks of gestation. This study aimed to describe the existing model of prenatal care in Quebec and determine to what extent maternal vaccination against pertussis could be integrated into this model.

METHODS

In Quebec, health care is organized around Local Community Service Centres (LCSCs) that serve specific geographic areas. For each of 158 LCSCs (98.1% of LCSCs in the province), we invited 1 nurse or manager involved in prenatal care to participate in a cross-sectional Web-based survey. The structure of prenatal care visits and potential integration of maternal Tdap vaccination into the existing model were documented and compared according to urbanization level, determined with the use of census data.

RESULTS

A completed survey was obtained for 127 LCSCs (response rate 80.4%). Only 13 (10.2%) and 14 (11.0%) LCSCs offered on-site visits with a nurse for the majority of pregnant women during the second and third trimesters, respectively. A significantly higher proportion of rural LCSCs than urban LCSCs offered on-site visits to pregnant women in the third trimester (13 [18%] v. 1 [2%]) (p = 0.003). In at least 50 LCSC service areas (39.4%), vaccines were not available in most medical clinics offering prenatal care.

INTERPRETATION

Given the current situation in Quebec, implementing universal maternal Tdap vaccination may be challenging, which may result in suboptimal vaccine coverage among pregnant women. As other Canadian provinces may face similar issues, a priority will be to evaluate province-based implementation models to develop efficient ways to provide maternal Tdap vaccination across Canada.