According to a Public Health France file on influenza, “vaccination coverage for pregnant women remains very insufficient in France”.
- Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral infection that causes seasonal epidemics each winter.
- Influenza occurring during pregnancy is often more serious, with more frequently severe lung damage and an increased risk of hospitalization or miscarriage.
- Influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women between 2019 and 2021 was estimated at 21.1%.
While the flu vaccination campaign is in full swing, Public Health France published a study on pregnant women.
21.1% of pregnant women vaccinated against influenza
“Our study aims to estimate influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women and explore the associated socio-economic determinants,” explain the authors in the introduction. “The secondary objectives aim to estimate the proportion of pregnant women who report having received a flu vaccination offer from a doctor or midwife as well as the proportion of pregnant women who followed this recommendation and the associated determinants,” they add.
The data was collected during the Public Health France Barometer survey carried out in 2021. Women with a child under 3 years old were asked about flu vaccination during their last pregnancy.
In total, 731 women were surveyed. Influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women between 2019 and 2021 was estimated at 21.1%. It ranged from 21.4% for those with a child under 1 year old to 30.6% for those with a child aged 1 year old.
Flu vaccination: greater coverage for wealthy pregnant women
Influenza vaccination coverage was significantly higher for women with high incomes (31.8%) with a professional activity (26.2%) than for those who were unemployed (10.7%), and those residing in urban areas of more than 200,000 inhabitants or in the Paris metropolitan area (25.8%).
Vaccination was offered by a doctor or midwife to 36.9% of women and less frequently for low-income women, those who are unemployed or those without professional activity. Finally, influenza vaccination was more frequently offered after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2.
“Influenza coverage for pregnant women remains very insufficient in France with regard to the vaccination objective of 75%. Vaccination coverage, as well as the vaccination proposal, are marked by social health inequalities”, concludes Public Health France.
Flu occurring during pregnancy is often more serious
Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral infection that causes seasonal epidemics each winter.
High fever, chills, cough, joint or muscle pain, and fatigue are the main symptoms of the flu. Healing occurs within a week, with coughing and fatigue often lasting longer.
There flu occurring during pregnancy is often more serious, with more frequently severe lung damage and an increased risk of hospitalization or miscarriage. For the unborn child, the risk of premature birth is increased.
