Maternal influenza vaccine is not yet included as a regular immunisation in Japan’s national vaccination schedule. Many pregnant women, on the other hand, deliberately obtain an influenza vaccine. The researchers investigated the factors that influence influenza vaccination uptake. They concentrated on elements connected to any recommendation, such as advice or recommendations from another person. In March 2017 and 2018, they performed a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey in Japan among pregnant women or moms who had just given birth. The determinants impacting vaccine uptake were identified using logistic regression models. The network visualisation programme Gephi was used to investigate key persons in relation to maternal immunisation. In 2017, there were 2204 legitimate replies, while in 2018, there were 3580. Over 40% of responders had received the seasonal influenza vaccination at some time throughout both years. More than 80% of the immunised responders got influenza vaccine recommendations. Obstetricians were the most frequently consulted professionals in both years. The greatest relationship in the network of sources was discovered between the obstetrician and family members among respondents who picked more than two sources.
It is critical that public health officials, not simply pregnant women, pay attention to public concern or prospective recommenders regarding the advantages of maternal influenza vaccination.
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645515.2019.1697109
