Does the availability of influenza vaccine at prenatal care visits and of immediate vaccination improve vaccination coverage of pregnant women?

IntroductionAlthough vaccination against influenza is recommended for pregnant women in France because it exposes them to a risk of death and severe respiratory complications, their vaccination coverage in 2016 was estimated at 7%. This study's principal objective was to assess the association between the availability of influenza vaccination at prenatal care visits and vaccination coverage.Material and methodsThis multicenter survey took place in 3 Paris-area public hospital (AP-HP) maternity wards (A, B, and C). Only maternity ward A offered the vaccine and vaccination without charge at prenatal visits. Data were collected from parturients during 10 days in January 2017 by a self-administered anonymous questionnaire.ResultsData from 248 women showed overall vaccination coverage of 19.4% (48/248): 35.4% (46/130) in maternity unit A, 2.7% (2/75) in B, and 0% (0/43) in C (PConclusionOur results show that availability of influenza vaccination, free of charge, at prenatal consultations at the maternity ward increases vaccination coverage significantly.