College of Public Health and Human Sciences

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the concerns pregnant women have about influenza vaccination while breastfeeding and to determine if having these concerns represents a barrier to vaccination uptake.

METHODS: The Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System (VAMPSS) conducted a prospective cohort study in the US and Canada of influenza vaccine safety among pregnant women, oversampling vaccinated women. Data for the present paper are from an additional cross-sectional telephone survey completed during the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 influenza seasons.

RESULTS: We surveyed 431 pregnant women about their attitudes regarding influenza vaccination while breastfeeding. Almost half of the participants identified one or two concerns and 4% reported three or more concerns. About one quarter reported that they would be unlikely to have an influenza vaccination while breastfeeding. In the multivariate model, those reporting 1-2 concerns (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.09-0.28) and those reported 3 or more concerns (OR = 0.07, 95% CI 0.02-0.22) had lower odds of being likely to vaccinate.

CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women and postpartum women who are breastfeeding could benefit from receiving information and recommendations specific to vaccination from their healthcare providers, with a focus on discussing known risks and benefits to the baby's health.