Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women in the U.S., 2012–2015

Introduction Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe illness from influenza and influenza-related complications. Vaccinatingpregnant women is the primary strategy to protect them and their infants from influenza. This study aims to assess influenza vaccinationcoverage during three influenza seasons(2012–2015) from a national probability-based sampling survey and evaluate potential factors that influence vaccinationuptake among pregnant women. Methods Data from the 2012 through 2015 National Health Interview Surveyswere analyzed in 2017. Pregnant women aged 18−49 years were included in the analysis. The Kaplan−Meier survival analysis procedure was used for vaccinationcoverage in each season. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with vaccination. Adjusted vaccinationcoverage and adjusted prevalence ratios are reported with corresponding 95% CIs. Results In the 2012−2013, 2013−2014, and 2014−2015 influenza seasons, 40.4%, 45.4%, and 43.1% of pregnant women were vaccinated, respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that factors independently associated with a lower likelihood of vaccinationincluded having only a high school education, having three or less provider visits, and having no usual place of care ( p Conclusions Vaccinationcoverage among pregnant women from this nationally representative sample was suboptimal during recent influenza seasons. Vaccinationcoverage was lower among certain sociodemographic, access-to-care subgroups. Multifactorial vaccinationbarriers may exist. Interventions, such as assessing vaccinationhistory at every visit and implementing reminder–recall systems, standing orders, and addressing vaccinationhesitancy, are needed to increase vaccinationuptake among pregnant women.