AAFP, Other Groups Stress Need for Pregnant, Postpartum Women to Be Immunized Against Flu

With flu season looming, the AAFP and other health care organizations once again are urging their members to immunize their pregnant and postpartum patients against influenza.

In a letter (2-page PDF; About PDFs) released Sept. 15, officers from the AAFP, the AMA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Pharmacists Association, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives joined the CDC and the March of Dimes in emphasizing the need for these women -- who are at increased risk for complications from influenza -- to be immunized.

"Please encourage your pregnant and postpartum patients to get vaccinated against influenza," says the letter. "If you do not offer influenza vaccination, please find out who offers the vaccine in your community and send your pregnant and postpartum patients there. You play a crucial role in helping to prevent influenza in your patients and their infants, which can save their lives."

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, and the AAFP have recommended (5-page PDF; About PDFs) since 2004 that all women who are pregnant -- and those who may become pregnant -- during influenza season should be vaccinated.

However, vaccination rates for this high-risk group remain low. According to the CDC, less than one-fourth of pregnant women in the United States were vaccinated against seasonal influenza during the 2007-08 flu season. In fact, pregnant women have the lowest rates of coverage among all adult populations recommended to receive influenza vaccination.

In their letter to health care professionals, the AAFP and the other organizations said pregnant women should receive the influenza vaccine for a number of reasons.

The letter also highlights the following safety information: