Why Pregnant Women Skip the Flu Shot

Pregnant women face higher risks from influenza, including severe outcomes like hospitalization. Yet, during the COVID-19 pandemic, only about half of pregnant women got the flu shot. This gap highlights a need to understand their choices better. A study looked into why pregnant women decide to get or skip the flu vaccine. They used a theory that says people's actions are shaped by their attitudes, the influence of others, and how easy they think it is to do something. The study surveyed over 350 pregnant or recently pregnant women online.The results showed that how women feel about the vaccine matters most. Those who see the vaccine positively are more likely to get it. Additionally, when friends, family, or doctors encourage vaccination, women are more inclined to get the shot. Interestingly, the study found that attitudes and social influences not only affect intentions but also directly impact whether women get the vaccine. This suggests that changing minds and social norms could increase vaccination rates. Despite the risks, many pregnant women still don't get the flu shot. The study suggests that improving attitudes toward the vaccine could be key to boosting vaccination rates. Efforts to educate and influence social norms might help protect more pregnant women from flu complications.