J Korean Med Sci.  2021 Feb;36(5):e42. 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e42.

Altered Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Related Factors in Pregnant Women in Korea from 2007 to 2019

• Im JH
• Choi DH
• Baek J
• Kwon HY
• Choi SR
• Chung MH
• Lee JS

• KMID: 2512464
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e42

Abstract

Background
Pregnant women are at a high-risk of influenza infection. We have previously reported a low influenza vaccination coverage rate (4.0%) in Korea during the 2006–2007 influenza season. We conducted follow-up studies in 2011–2012 and 2018–2019 to observe changes in influenza vaccination coverage.
Methods
Women who delivered at Inha University Hospital (Incheon, Korea) in 2011–2012 and 2018–2019 were enrolled in the study. We surveyed the rate of influenza vaccination, perception scores, and related factors through telephonic interviews and compared the results from 2011–2012 and 2018–2019 with those from 2006–2007.
Results
The number of survey respondents was 227 in 2006–2007, 152 in 2011–2012, and 171 in 2018–2019. The rate of vaccination coverage increased from 4.0% in 2006–2007 to 42.0% in 2011–2012 and 59.3% in 2018–2019. Perception scores also increased progressively from 3.8 in 2006–2007 to 4.2 in 2011–2012 and 5.1 in 2018–2019. Physician recommendations for influenza vaccination also increased from 4.8% in 2006–2007 to 36.8% in 2011–2012 and 49.7% in 2018–2019. The most common reason for not getting vaccinated was the lack of awareness of influenza vaccination during pregnancy (36.9%). The perception scores and physician recommendation rates were significantly lower for unvaccinated women (3.87 and 8.4%, respectively) than for vaccinated women (5.14 and 69.1%, respectively).
Conclusion
The influenza vaccination coverage rate in pregnant women has increased significantly since our study in 2006–2007. However, further improvement in the coverage rate is needed. There is a need for active and comprehensive publicity and education regarding this issue among physicians and pregnant women.

Keyword

Influenza Vaccine; Republic of Korea; Pregnancy Complications; Infectious; Vaccination Coverage; Vaccination Refusal

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The change of influenza vaccine coverage rate and perception score. Fig. 1 shows alternations in the influenza vaccine coverage rate, physician recommendation rate, and perception scores. Influenza vaccine coverage rate and physician recommendation rate are presented in percentile and perception score is presented by mean value.

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