ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to determine the acceptance rate of and incidence of
adverse reactions to the influenza vaccine in pregnant women, and to determine the
immunized patients' attitudes toward future vaccination. A total of 448 eligible pregnant
women were offered the influenza vaccine at routine prenatal visits. Vaccinated women
were interviewed at their subsequent visit regarding adverse effects and attitudes
toward future vaccination. Of the 448 women studied, 319 (71.2%) accepted the vaccine.
There was no difference in acceptance rates between English- and Spanish-speaking
women. Mild adverse reactions were experienced by 5.3%. Women who reported adverse
reactions were less likely to agree to future vaccination as compared with unaffected
women (64.7 vs. 94.0% p < 0.001). The influenza vaccine is readily accepted by pregnant women, and is infrequently
associated with mild side effects. Women who experience side effects are less likely
to accept the vaccine in the future.
Keywords
Influenza - vaccination - pregnancy
