Pregnant women and newborns are at a higher risk of morbidity and death from influenza and pertussis. Vaccination is the most significant method of illness prevention for both diseases. Researchers assessed pregnant women’s knowledge and acceptability of influenza and pertussis vaccines. To assess possible impacts on the acceptance or rejection of pertussis or influenza vaccines, they utilised a questionnaire to assess knowledge about pertussis and influenza. Pertussis and influenza vaccines were accepted at rates of 11.2 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively. The rate of acceptance of these vaccines was unaffected by maternal age, education level, work position, number of gestations, or gestational age. Pregnant women who had a history of immunisation throughout their youth and prior pregnancies, on the other hand, were substantially more likely to accept pertussis vaccines. Knowledge regarding the hazards of pertussis and influenza infections for pregnant women and their children influences vaccine acceptability significantly.
Even in low socioeconomic status groups, a primary obstetrician’s advice for vaccines was highly predictive of acceptance of both pertussis and influenza vaccination. According to this study, pregnant women in Turkey had an extremely low acceptance rate for pertussis and influenza vaccine. To enhance vaccine acceptance rates during pregnancy, healthcare worker advice and improved knowledge regarding pertussis and influenza morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and newborns are required.
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645515.2019.1689082
