title: Influenza and pertussis vaccination coverage in pregnant women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnant women have an increased risk for complications and hospitalizations when infected with the influenza virus in the second or third trimester. Additionally, infants under six months of age are most vulnerable when contracting pertussis. Immunization against influenza and pertussis during pregnancy provides protection for mother and neonate against influenza and for neonates against pertussis pending protection through infant immunization. In Belgium, a gradual increase in pertussis cases over the past decade was observed. This study was undertaken to document vaccination coverage for influenza and pertussis and factors related to vaccination status in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and fifty pregnant women completed a questionnaire during their third trimester. Vaccination data were collected and reasons for non-vaccination were noted as well as socio-demographic data which are known to influence vaccination coverage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A documented vaccination coverage of 42.8% for influenza and 39.2% for pertussis was observed. Taking into account doses which were not documented, but administered according to the expectant mother, coverage for influenza would increase to 62% and for pertussis to 46%. The most important reasons for non-vaccination were the absence of a recommendation by medical staff (9.6%) and delay in vaccination (8.4%). The GP was the most important vaccinator. Pregnant women with a lower education and those with a foreign origin were more vulnerable for non-vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incomplete documentation is the most important barrier in determining the vaccination status of pregnant women. Immunization during pregnancy needs further integration through vaccination campaigns aimed at both health care providers and pregnant women.
authors: KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Leuven University Vaccinology Center (LUVAC), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Jolien.laenen@uzleuven.be.
authors: Jolien
authors: J
authors: Laenen
authors: KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Youth Health Care, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Mathieu.roelants@med.kuleuven.be.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Roelants
authors: KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Roland.devlieger@uzleuven.be.
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Devlieger
authors: KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Leuven University Vaccinology Center (LUVAC), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: corinne.vandermeulen@uzleuven.be.
authors: Corinne
authors: C
authors: Vandermeulen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D037841:Pregnant People; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Immunization; Influenza; Pertussis; Pregnancy; Vaccination coverage