Acceptance of a pandemic avian influenza vaccine in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate acceptance of a pandemic avian influenza vaccine among obstetric patients and nonphysician obstetric office personnel.


METHODS
Two separate office-based questionnaires were administered to patients and nonphysician personnel. Questions included demographics, vaccine beliefs and acceptance of a potential pandemic avian influenza vaccine in pregnancy.


RESULTS
Questionnaires were completed by 394 of 600 (65.7%) eligible patients and 101 of 134 (75.3%) eligible office personnel. Only 15.4% of the patients stated they would definitely accept a pandemic influenza vaccine in pregnancy despite most (68%) reporting they would first consult their obstetrician for information. Fifty percent of the office personnel would not recommend a pandemic influenza vaccine to pregnant women and 40% reported unwillingness to accept the same vaccine if they were pregnant.


CONCLUSIONS
Barriers exist that may hinder mass vaccination efforts among the pregnant population during the next influenza pandemic. Preemptive educational efforts may assist in the acceptance of a pandemic vaccine among pregnant women and enable obstetricians to better provide disease prevention during the next influenza pandemic.
Beigi
Richard H
RH
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. rbeigi@mail.magee.edu
Switzer
Galen E
GE
Meyn
Leslie A
LA
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D007252:Influenza Vaccines