Despite majorities expressing concern about getting the novel H1N1 (or swine) flu this year, only about one in four pregnant women or new mothers plan to get the H1N1 flu shot, according to findings from a new survey conducted on behalf of HealthyWomen by Harris Interactive. The survey of pregnant women and new mothers also revealed that 43 percent of women plan to get the seasonal flu shot this year, up from 33 percent surveyed last year. Moreover, Hispanic women surveyed showed that they are more likely than women overall to be concerned for themselves and their children getting H1N1 and seasonal flu, but are less aware of expert recommendations that pregnant women get both flu shots this year to protect themselves and their newborns.
To address women's concerns and the information gap on flu vaccination during pregnancy, HealthyWomen and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) are continuing their "Flu-Free and A Mom-to-Be: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby -- Get Your Flu Shots!" program. The campaign, supported by CSL Biotherapies, educates pregnant women and their healthcare providers on the need to make flu vaccination for both the seasonal and H1N1 viruses an essential part of prenatal care. This is critical as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that only 24 percent of pregnant women received a flu shot last season.
"These survey results show the urgent need to educate pregnant women on the facts, benefits and safety of getting both the seasonal and H1N1 flu shots," said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of HealthyWomen. "The 'Flu-Free and A Mom-to-Be' campaign will advance the discussion with new moms and moms-to-be on the importance of getting the flu shots while pregnant to protect themselves and their newborns." Campaign materials are available in both English and Spanish.
The survey of 668 pregnant women or new mothers, 154 of whom are Hispanic, showed that only half of women (50%) know that getting a flu shot while pregnant will protect themselves and their newborn babies after birth. However, Hispanic women are more likely to believe the false claim that getting a flu shot while pregnant can put a woman's unborn baby's health at risk (41% vs. 26% of all women). Moreover, less than half of Hispanic women (49%) are aware that the seasonal and H1N1 flu shots are recommended for pregnant women, compared to 71 percent of women overall.
Pregnant women are a priority audience for flu vaccination because they are at higher risk of hospitalization for complications from the flu due to physiologic changes associated with pregnancy, such as an increase in heart rate, reduction in lung capacity and changes in immune responses. In fact, a recent study found that during the first month of the H1N1 outbreak (April 15 to May 18, 2009), hospitalization rates for H1N1 flu were four times higher in pregnant women than in the general population. The CDC, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), AWHONN and numerous other professional women's health and obstetrics organizations strongly urge all new moms and moms-to-be to get the flu shots to protect themselves and their newborns through passed immunity. A 2008 New England Journal study showed that babies of mothers vaccinated against the flu during pregnancy experienced a 63 percent reduction in influenza illness due to passed immunity from mom to baby. Newborns under six months of age are extremely vulnerable to influenza infection and its dangerous consequences, but cannot get vaccinated.
"With H1N1 being the dominant influenza virus circulating so far this year, it is vital that all pregnant women get their seasonal and H1N1 flu shots as soon as possible," said Ashley Roman, MD, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Yale University. "Both the seasonal and H1N1 flu shots are safe for women to get during any stage of pregnancy and the shots are available in thimerosal-free forms, for those who are concerned about mercury preservatives."
While 86 percent of women believe that the seasonal flu shot is safe, only 68 percent think the H1N1 flu shot is safe, revealed survey data. The main concern among pregnant women about getting the H1N1 flu shot is the belief that the vaccine has not been adequately tested (43 percent among pregnant women not planning to get the H1N1 flu shot). The H1N1 vaccine, which is made the same way as the seasonal flu shot, has been found in clinical studies to be safe and effective at producing an immune response in healthy adults.