Missed opportunities: a national survey of obstetricians about attitudes on maternal and infant immunization

Matern Child Health J. 2012 Dec;16(9):1743-7. doi: 10.1007/s10995-011-0936-0.

Abstract

The recent reoccurrence of several vaccine-preventable diseases demonstrates the need for new techniques to promote childhood vaccination. Many mothers make decisions regarding vaccination of their children during pregnancy. As a result, obstetricians have a unique opportunity to influence maternal decisions on this crucial component of child health. Our objective was to understand OB/GYNs' attitudes, beliefs, and current practices toward providing vaccinations to pregnant patients and providing information about routine childhood immunizations during standard prenatal care. We surveyed OB/GYNs in the United States about their vaccination practices and perceptions during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. Most (84%) respondents indicated their practice would be administering H1N1 vaccines to pregnant patients. While a majority (98%) of responding providers felt childhood vaccination is important, relatively few (47%) felt that they could influence mothers' vaccination choices for their children. Discussion of routine childhood immunization between obstetricians and their patients is an area for future improvements in childhood vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Child
  • Data Collection
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Immunization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Infant
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Obstetrics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Physicians
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Prenatal Care / methods
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines