The Perspective Of Pregnant Women On Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Before Pandemics

Abstract

Objective: After pregnant women were detected to have serious complications when infected with pandemic A (H1N1) virus in 2009, priority of their vaccination was accepted. Our study was planned to estimate the perspective of pregnant women on pandemic influenza vaccine in Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Obstetrics Unit in October 2009, just before pandemic influenza vaccine is implemented, to evaluate the perception of the vaccine. Material and Methods: Our study was conducted by applying questionnaire to 86 pregnant women admitting to Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Obstetrics Unit. Age, trimester of pregnancy, gravida of pregnancy, seasonal influenza vaccine application status and whether the patient found pandemic influenza vaccine necessary were noted after the questionnaire was completed. Results: Pregnant women who filled our questionnaire were between 18 and 39 years of age, 13 of them were in the first trimester, 31 were in the second trimester and 42 were in the third trimester. Out of 86 pregnant women, 66 expressed that they did not find it necessary to have pandemic influenza vaccine. In our study it was found that 23.3% of pregnant women found pandemic influenza vaccine necessary, and although the study population was small, finding the vaccine necessary was not affected from mother's age, trimester of pregnancy or gravida of pregnancy. The only factor demonstrated to affect the acceptance of pandemic influenza vaccine was having been shot for seasonal influenza vaccine. Conclusion: It is very important to inform this group that they have a major risk if they have the disease and to remind and advise them to be vaccinated in routine controls.