In this BMC_series blog post, Lisa McHugh discusses inequities in maternal vaccine uptake among three groups at higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable infections in Australia.
Maternal vaccination Pregnancy and early infancy are increased risk periods for severe adverse effects of respiratory infections. Influenza vaccines and whooping cough vaccines are recommended and free to every Australian pregnant woman to combat these infections during pregnancy, and the vaccines provide protection for young infants as well for approximately the first six months of life, through the transfer of maternal antibodies across the placenta.
Existing inequities Our previous work found that rates of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy were higher than they were for IIV, and that pertussis vaccination in pregnancy was a key driver for having IIV in pregnancy. But we also found that pertussis vaccination was considerably lower among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pregnancies compared to other Australians .
In our new paper in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, we sought to understand these findings further, so we explored the equity of maternal IIV and pertussis vaccination for three Australian groups between 2012-2017: First Nations women; women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and women living in remote areas or areas considered socio-economically disadvantaged.
We know the increased risk factors for acquiring influenza or pertussis infections are living in remote regions, lower socio-economic status, inadequate housing, and limited access to culturally safe and appropriate, affordable health care. Vaccination against these infections has to be prioritized in these groups as a key public health strategy in preventing severe disease in pregnancy and early infancy and is the benchmark of equitable healthcare.
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