Research Alert: April 23, 2021

Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination Rates Among Pregnant Women in Rural and Urban Areas

Infants younger than 6 months old are highly susceptible to severe vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization of mothers during pregnancy, in combination with childhood immunization without delay, offers the optimal opportunity to prevent severe infant morbidity and mortality.

This study evaluates the receipt of influenza and pertussis vaccines among pregnant women from 2012-2018 in the U.S. using data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. The data showed the percentage of influenza vaccination among rural pregnant women was lower than their urban counterparts with significant differences in certain subgroups. The data, however, for pertussis vaccination in pregnant women across the urban-rural continuum showed similar percentages overall but with some differences observed in subgroups. This study suggests important gains have been made in maternal vaccination, but significant differences persist across the urban-rural continuum.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• More information about the Southwest Rural Health Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guides: Healthcare Access, Human Services, Rural Health Disparities, Social Determinants of Health