Most Americans are unaware or unsure of which vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends during pregnancy, according to a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, conducted July 1-5.
Almost half of those surveyed know that the CDC recommends getting the seasonal flu vaccine during pregnancy, while less than a third know that tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and hepatitis B vaccines are also recommended if one is not up to date on these vaccinations. Over half do not know whether the CDC recommends the Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy. The CDC says its Covid-19 vaccine recommendations are now based on individual decision making, emphasizing consideration of benefits and risks rather than an explicit recommendation.
Women aged 18 to 49 were found to be significantly more knowledgeable than other adult groups about most CDC pregnancy vaccine recommendations; however, many in this group were also unsure about what is recommended. For each of four vaccines routinely recommended during pregnancy by the CDC—seasonal flu, Tdap, RSV, and hepatitis B—at least 45% of respondents said they were not sure whether these vaccines are recommended.
The survey asked respondents about eight different vaccines in relation to pregnancy. In addition to those recommended by the CDC, participants were queried about measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella), and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines—all three not recommended for use during pregnancy due to their live-virus composition or other guidance. The majority remained unsure whether these non-recommended vaccines should be taken during pregnancy.
Among women aged 18 to 49 years old, awareness was higher: for example, 60% correctly identified that seasonal flu vaccination is recommended in pregnancy compared with lower rates among other groups; still, only 30% knew hepatitis B vaccination was advised. Incorrect identification rates for non-recommended vaccines did not differ significantly between women of childbearing age and others.
Patrick E. Jamieson, director of APPC's Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institute overseeing health surveys at APPC, said, "Many Americans routinely get their immunizations from their primary healthcare providers or at local pharmacies... It is critical that those professionals pay special attention to vaccine recommendations for recipients who are pregnant."
