Seasonal influenza vaccination among pregnant women in Rhode Island, 2002-2011.

pregnant women are at InCreaSed rISk for morbIdIty and mortality from influenza infection, likely due to the physiologic changes associated with pregnancy. Preventing influenza during pregnancy is an essential component of prenatal care, and vaccination is the most effective strategy. Vaccinating pregnant women for influenza can protect both the women and their infants, especially infants aged less than six months who are not old enough to receive influenza vaccination. Since 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended routine vaccination for all pregnant women during influenza season with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV), at any stage of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also support ACIP’s recommendation of routine vaccination of all pregnant women. This report describes the trends of the influenza vaccination rates among pregnant women in Rhode Island, timing and venues of vaccination, and reasons for not being vaccinated. The report also provides recommended actions for health care providers to improve influenza vaccination among pregnant women.