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Missed Opportunities: A National Survey of Obstetricians About Attitudes on Maternal and Infant Immunization

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Abstract

The recent reoccurrence of several vaccine-preventable diseases demonstrates the need for new techniques to promote childhood vaccination. Many mothers make decisions regarding vaccination of their children during pregnancy. As a result, obstetricians have a unique opportunity to influence maternal decisions on this crucial component of child health. Our objective was to understand OB/GYNs’ attitudes, beliefs, and current practices toward providing vaccinations to pregnant patients and providing information about routine childhood immunizations during standard prenatal care. We surveyed OB/GYNs in the United States about their vaccination practices and perceptions during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. Most (84%) respondents indicated their practice would be administering H1N1 vaccines to pregnant patients. While a majority (98%) of responding providers felt childhood vaccination is important, relatively few (47%) felt that they could influence mothers’ vaccination choices for their children. Discussion of routine childhood immunization between obstetricians and their patients is an area for future improvements in childhood vaccination.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Ruth Berkelman of the Emory Preparedeness and Emergency Response Research Center for her guidance throughout the process. This project was supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emory Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

    Ruth Link-Gelles, Allison T. Chamberlain, Ellen Whitney, Katherine Seib & Saad B. Omer

  2. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC, USA

    Jay Schulkin

  3. Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Kevin Ault

  4. Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Kevin Ault & Saad B. Omer

Authors
  1. Allison T. Chamberlain
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  2. Jay Schulkin
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  3. Kevin Ault
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  4. Ellen Whitney
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  5. Katherine Seib
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  6. Saad B. Omer
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Correspondence to Ruth Link-Gelles.

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Link-Gelles, R., Chamberlain, A.T., Schulkin, J. et al. Missed Opportunities: A National Survey of Obstetricians About Attitudes on Maternal and Infant Immunization. Matern Child Health J 16, 1743–1747 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0936-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0936-0

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