Open AccessUPTAKE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN GEORGIA IN 2020-2021
Author(s) -
ZURA KATSITADZE,
SOPIKO GOGIA,
KHATUNA LOMAURI
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ek'sperimentuli da klinikuri medic'ina
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1512-0392
DOI - 10.52340/jecm.2022.02.08
Subject(s) - vaccination , medicine , influenza vaccine , family medicine , quarter (canadian coin) , immunization , pregnancy , health care , population , seasonal influenza , environmental health , immunology , covid-19 , disease , geography , genetics , archaeology , antigen , biology , economic growth , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Utilization of influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Georgia remains suboptimal. To uncover some of the contributing factors to low uptake of influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Georgia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Spring-Summer 2021 on the postpartum women as the focus population. Females >18 years old were asked to complete the survey. The survey contained 14 items. The questions were categorized into 5 main groups. A total of 200 surveys were delivered to the hospitals. Survey results reveal that regnant women’s awareness and attitudes regarding the Influenza vaccination were subpar and not conductive to reliable efforts in optimal vaccine uptake. While the absolute majority of the study subjects confirmed that they had heard about the Influenza vaccine, less than a quarter of them accepted to be immunized. Importantly, half of the responders discussed the subject of immunization with their healthcare provider, however, had not made the final decision for vaccination. There is meaningful space to encourage pregnant women’s awareness and education on benefits and safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. This is preferable to be performed through the education and information campaigning conducted by health care providers working in perinatal care facilities.