Background: Maternal influenza vaccination has been introduced in several countries to prevent influenza-related morbidity and mortality in pregnant women, fetuses, and infants too young to be vaccinated.
Objectives: To analyze the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of pregnant women-focused interventions to increase influenza vaccination uptake during pregnancy.
Search strategy: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Trial were searched on August 25, 2021.
Selection criteria: RCTs assessing the effectiveness of pregnant women-focused interventions in increasing influenza vaccination among pregnant women were included.
Data collection and analysis: Two independent reviewers extracted data. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs).
Main results: Seven RCTs were selected. Overall, the interventions had a significant effect in increasing influenza vaccination during pregnancy compared with standard care (OR 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-2.54; P = 0.001; I2 = 67%). However, subgroup analysis suggested that influenza vaccination uptake only was associated with educational interventions (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.93-3.81; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%).
Conclusions: We found that several educational interventions for pregnant women can effectively increase influenza vaccination uptake in this population. Specifically, pamphlets, websites, and brief one-to-one education can be effective tools.
Registration: CRD42021269478.
Keywords: flu; immunization; influenza vaccine; interventions; maternal vaccination; pregnancy; strategies; vaccine hesitancy.
© 2023 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.