Do Under-Vaccinations Place Infants at Risk?

According to a new under-vaccination study of obstetrician-gynecologists (Ob-Gyn), vaccine refusal is a common occurrence among pregnant women. 

Moreover, these Ob-Gyns reported they spend a significant amount of time discussing vaccine concerns with pregnant patients.

This study is important since Ob-Gyns are an important source of vaccine information for infants and pregnant women, and play a crucial role in a pregnant woman’s decision to get vaccinated, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  

This mail survey from March 2016 to June 2016 of 331 Ob-Gyns reported 10 percent or greater of pregnant women they care for in a typical month refused influenza vaccine. 

And, 32 percent of these providers reported diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine refusal. 

The most commonly reported reasons for vaccine refusal were: 

• patients' belief that influenza vaccine makes them sick (48%),
• believe they are unlikely to get a vaccine-preventable disease (38%),
• general worries about vaccines (32%),
• the desire to maintain a natural pregnancy (31%), and,
• concern that their child could develop autism as a result of maternal vaccination (25%).

The most commonly reported strategies used to address vaccine refusal by Ob-Gyns were:

• stating that it is safe to receive vaccines during pregnancy (96%),
• explaining that not getting the vaccine puts the fetus or newborn at risk (90%), or,
• that not getting the vaccine puts the pregnant woman's health at risk (84%).

According to this study, the strategy perceived by these Ob-Gyns as most effective was ‘stating that not getting vaccinated puts the fetus or newborn at risk.’ 

The United States’ long-standing vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   

The CDC recommends all children receive vaccines according to the recommended immunization schedule to protect them from 14 diseases by age 2. 

The recommended immunization schedules for persons aged birth through 18 years and the catch-up immunization schedule have been approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). 

The CDC says the United States has the safest vaccine supply in its history.   

And, the most common side effects are typically very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site. 

Recent pregnant women vaccine news:

• When Are Infants Most Vulnerable to Asthma?
• PREVENT Says Include Pregnant Women in Vaccine Research
• Flu Vaccine Benefits Both "Mum" and Baby

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector prices for general information.

And, vaccine discounts can be found here. 

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.