KEYWORDS:
Influenza, vaccination coverage, Pregnant women, Diabetes, BRFSS

BACKGROUND:
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends influenza vaccination for groups of persons at increased risk for complications from influenza. Since 1997, this has included women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during influenza season.

OBJECTIVE:
Determine influenza vaccination levels among pregnant women prior to and after the ACIP recommendation.

METHOD:
Data from the 1997, 1999, and 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to determine influenza vaccination levels among pregnant women.

RESULT:
Among women aged 18-44 years without diabetes in 2001 (n=56,396), those reporting they were pregnant were less likely to report influenza vaccination in the past 12 months (13.7%, 95% confidence interval 11.4%-16.0%) than those not pregnant (16.8%, 95% confidence interval 16.3%-17.4%). Vaccination coverage among pregnant women was 11.2% (95% confidence interval 8.6%-13.7%) in 1997 and 9.6% (95% confidence interval 7.7%-11.6%) in 1999. Coverage among non-pregnant women was 14.4% (95% confidence interval 13.8%-15.0%) in 1997 and 15.7% (95% confidence interval 14.1%-16.3%) in 1999. Vaccination coverage among those pregnant did not differ significantly by quarter interviewed. State-specific vaccination coverage among women aged 18-44 years was also estimated.

CONCLUSION:
Although not directly measuring influenza vaccination among women who were past the first trimester of pregnancy during influenza season, these data indicate low compliance with the ACIP recommendation for pregnant women.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Identify possible steps to improve the current low levels of influenza vaccination of pregnant women.