Urgent
evaluation of the low immunization rates during pregnancy is demanded,
according to UQ researchers
Researchers from the
University of Queensland are urging an immediate examination of the low rates
of whooping cough and influenza vaccines among young and Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander expectant mothers.
Researchers from the
multi-jurisdictional Links2HealthierBubs study, who examined data from the
largest observational cohort of mothers giving birth to children in Queensland,
Western Australia, and the Northern Territory between 2012 and 2017, released
the statistics.
Dr. Lisa McHugh, the
principal investigator at the UQ School of Public Health, reported that
scientists examined vaccination rates for nearly 600,000 expectant mothers.
Only 15% of the cohort
received the influenza vaccine overall, while 27% received the whooping cough
vaccine, according to Dr. McHugh.
And only 12% of people
got both.
In comparison to
non-Indigenous pregnancies, whooping cough vaccination rates were 20% lower in
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pregnancies, while influenza
vaccination rates were also 20% lower.
In Australia, whooping
cough vaccines were introduced in 2015 to protect infants under 6 months of
age, while influenza vaccinations have long been advised and provided without
charge to expectant mothers as they guard against serious infection.
According to Dr. McHugh,
women who receive both vaccinations during pregnancy are more likely to do so
if they receive prenatal care throughout the first trimester.
"Except First
Nations women, Australia's whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy program has been
a critical driver of influenza vaccine uptake in pregnancy," she said.
"Before the
antenatal whooping cough vaccine program, First Nations mothers were more
likely to have had an influenza vaccination during pregnancy; however, after
the whooping cough vaccine was introduced, this trend began to decline.
"Early on in their
pregnancies, pregnant women who are less likely to receive the flu shot should
be informed about its significance so they can make an informed decision.
"A major element in
boosting that adoption is providing the flu vaccine from a reputable healthcare
provider.
"Before the next
influenza pandemic or whooping cough outbreak, and immediately updated
examination of these data and immunization approaches is required.