Utilization of the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine by Pregnant Women in a Pandemic Year

Objective: To determine the proportion of pregnant women in a community-based cohort who received the H1N1 vaccine during the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic, and to identify sociodemographic factors that were associated with receiving the vaccine. Methods: Women in Alberta from a cross-sectional community-based cohort who were participating in a study of prenatal care were asked about their receipt of the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines and whether they had contracted influenza. Univariable and backwards multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with receiving the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Results: Approximately 72% of women in this sample (n = 402) received an influenza vaccine in 2009; 29.4% received both H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines, 40.8% received only the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, 1.7% received only the seasonal influenza vaccine, and 28.1% did not receive either vaccine Univariable analysis found that receiving the 2009 H1N1 vaccine was significantly associated with household income, education, current employment status, and contentment about the pregnancy. After multivariable analysis, education and having a planned pregnancy remained as independent predictors of vaccination status. Conclusion: During the 2009-2010 pandemic influenza season, over 70% of this cohort received influenza vaccinations, a much higher proportion than seen in previous influenza seasons The majority of women who received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine were likely influenced by the increased media attention given to the 2009-2010 pandemic and the replacement of seasonal vaccine by the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.