Influential factors in patient uptake of influenza vaccination during pregnancy; a survey-based audit in a tertiary hospital setting.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the key influential factors for pregnant or recently pregnant women in deciding on influenza vaccination.

Method: This study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital in New Zealand using an anonymous and voluntary patient survey. Ethnicity, age and stage of pregnancy along with self-reported data on factors that influenced the decision to vaccinate against influenza during pregnancy were recorded.

Results: We included 101 participants over the one-week study period, 76% of whom had received the influenza vaccination. The most commonly reported reason for vaccination was the desire for neonatal protection, the common reasons for not being vaccinated were not receiving information on vaccination or safety concerns.

Conclusion: There are a variety of factors influencing women when deciding on antenatal influenza vaccination. Further studies are needed to expand on the findings of this small local study in order to be able to improve vaccination uptake through empathetic delivery of evidence-based recommendations.