Recommending & offering vaccination in antenatal clinics: an initiative to improve uptake

Immunisation is an effective intervention in modern medicine with both influenza and pertussis vaccination being recommended in pregnancy and generally offered and provided in primary care. Uptake, however, remains suboptimal in Ireland (43-55% for influenza vaccination1,2) and internationally, and initiatives to improve uptake will have maternal, neonatal & societal benefits. In time, it is likely that other vaccinations may also be offered more frequently in pregnancy (e.g. Covid-19 and Group B Streptococcus) so an understanding of factors which influence uptake is timely.