Strengthening obstetricians’ guidance, promoting non-injectable influenza vaccines, and delivering targeted health education are important strategies to improve vaccination uptake in this population of women to inform evidence-based policy interventions.
Abstract
ABSTRACT The World Health Organization prioritizes pregnant women for influenza vaccination; in China, flu vaccination during pregnancy has not been widely adopted. This gap is due to a lack of targeted policies and limited public health promotion. We aimed to describe knowledge and attitudes toward seasonal influenza vaccination among women of reproductive age (15–49 y old) (WRA), to inform evidence-based policy interventions. A cross-sectional survey assessed WRA’s influenza and vaccine awareness, vaccination route preference, and influencing factors, analyzed via chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. The knowledge score among WRA in Shanghai Pudong was 3.77 ± 1.23, and the influenza vaccine knowledge score was 3.55 ± 1.66; the pass rates were 60.61% and 56.46%, respectively. Healthcare workers had the highest cognitive levels. Multivariate analysis indicated that education level and being a healthcare professional were predictors of the influenza vaccine pass rate. In particular, the preference for injection decreased sharply from 41.25% among non-pregnant women to 13.31% in the hypothetical pregnancy scenario. In comparison, nasal spray preference rose from 10.60% to 23.17%, and unwillingness increased from 10.19% to 35.58% (P < .05). Pregnant women preferred the nasal spray at 41.67%, a rate significantly higher than that of non-pregnant women (10.60%, P < .05). When receiving influenza vaccine recommendations, 87.63% of participants were more inclined to follow the advice of obstetricians and gynecologists. While WRA in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, demonstrates a relatively high level of attention to influenza and influenza vaccines, key gaps still exist. Strengthening obstetricians’ guidance, promoting non-injectable influenza vaccines, and delivering targeted health education are important strategies to improve vaccination uptake in this population.
Maternal influenza vaccination (MIV) is the most effective measure of preventing severe influenza-related complications in pregnant women. However, there is limited knowledge about MIV uptake in Kuwait. This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding MIV uptake and provision in Kuwait. A cross-sectional, hospital-based study using a self-administered electronic questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP FLU) questionnaire was conducted among 272 pregnant and recently delivered women attending governmental maternity hospitals and antenatal clinics in Kuwait between October 2022 and January 2023. Only 22 participants (8.1%) reported receiving MIV during their current or most recent pregnancy. Although most participants recognised that influenza infection could have serious consequences during pregnancy, only 8% met the predefined threshold for adequate knowledge regarding MIV. Healthcare professionals demonstrated significantly higher knowledge of influenza infection than participants from other professions (
p
= 0.012), while younger participants had significantly greater knowledge of MIV (
p
= 0.023). No significant associations were identified between participant characteristics and MIV uptake. Participants recognised healthcare provider recommendation as an important factor influencing vaccination decisions, although many reported not receiving such a recommendation during pregnancy. Knowledge of maternal influenza vaccination and vaccine uptake were low among pregnant women in Kuwait. These findings highlight opportunities to strengthen antenatal education and encourage healthcare providers to consistently discuss and recommend maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Further studies with larger samples are needed to identify independent predictors of vaccine uptake.
Fatemah Alhendyani, Louise Hayes, Laura Lindsey et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Adherence to the recommended complete vaccination schedule during pregnancy was low, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine, except for COVID-19 and influenza.
M. Fortunato, A. C. Fernandes, Daniela Ferreira D’Agostini Marin et al.· Revista Brasileira de Saúde...· 0 citations
Positive attitudes toward non-routine childhood vaccines among healthcare workers do not necessarily translate into consistent recommendation behaviors across all vaccine types, including rotavirus, meningococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza vaccines.
Asiye Burcu Kuş, A. Barutçu, Sena Kara Öncü· Vaccines· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Public transportation drivers (PTDs) are vulnerable to influenza and could potentially act as super-spreaders. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake is crucial for public health. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of and factors associated with influenza vaccination uptake and intention among PTDs in Lebanon. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to 509 PTDs in 2023. Socio-demographics, health-related variables, environmental factors, social norms, and knowledge were collected. Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccination Attitudes Examination scales were used. Chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed. Influenza vaccine uptake rate was 28.9%, with 56.2% expressing an intention to receive the vaccine if it was affordable or available through a mobile clinic. Factors that were positively associated with vaccine uptake included: knowing someone who took the vaccine aOR = 3.6[2.2–6.1]; being advised to take the vaccine aOR = 2.1[1.2–3.8]; and previous influenza infection aOR = 1.9[1.4–2.7]. Factors negatively associated with vaccine uptake included: lack of confidence in vaccines aOR = 0.7[0.6–0.9] and risk calculation aOR = 0.8[0.6–0.9]. Factors positively associated with influenza vaccine intention were knowing someone who took the vaccine aOR = 2.2[1.4–3.4] and previously taking the influenza vaccine aOR = 1.8[1.1–3.0]. Factors negatively associated with vaccine intention were having an average socioeconomic status aOR = 0.6[0.4–0.9], lack of confidence aOR = 0.7[0.6–0.8], concerns about commercial profiteering aOR = 0.7[0.6–0.9], and a preference for natural immunity 0.8[0.6–0.9]. Enhancing vaccine accessibility and affordability along with targeted educational campaigns that address specific concerns and misinformation, could increase uptake rates among PTDs.
Mahmoud Salam, Gladys N. Honein-AbouHaidar, N. Melhem et al.· Human Vaccines & Immunothera...· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Although prophylactic vaccination is highly effective against human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccine uptake among Chinese college students remains insufficient, and evidence among medical university students, particularly males, remains limited. Following the recent approval of male HPV vaccines in China, this study evaluated vaccine awareness, acceptance, and potential barriers among both sexes. A cross-sectional online survey of 831 full-time undergraduate students at Anhui Medical University was conducted from October to December 2025. While overall HPV vaccine awareness was high (88.33%), the actual vaccination rate remained low at 25.55% (54.40% among females). Overall vaccination intention was 67.27%, exhibiting a profound gender disparity (92.80% in females vs. 46.27% in males, P < .001). Multivariable analyses showed that female vaccination uptake was significantly associated with familial socioeconomic factors, particularly monthly living allowance and maternal educational attainment. In male students, neutral or opposing attitudes toward a national male HPV vaccination policy were associated with lower vaccination intention (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.409–0.898; OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.084–0.756), whereas a maximum acceptable vaccine cost of RMB 1,000–2,000 was associated with higher intention (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.003–2.592). Additionally, female students showed higher HPV-related knowledge scores and greater reliance on interpersonal and professional information sources. Ultimately, these findings suggest that improving HPV vaccine uptake among medical university students in China may require targeted educational strategies and more accessible vaccination support, particularly for male students and those with fewer socioeconomic resources.
Qian Huang, Jianzhu Xiong, Zihsyuan Liu et al.· Human Vaccines & Immunothera...· 0 citations
Investigation of parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding childhood influenza vaccination in Jiangsu showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes but low actual vaccination rates, suggesting targeted interventions are needed to reduce the cognition-practice gap and improve childhood influenza vaccination coverage.
Zhaohan Wei, Xiaolei Feng, Qin Sun et al.· Vaccine· 0 citations
