Rationale

Professionals involved in the introduction of a new vaccine come from different backgrounds. For maternal immunization, the involvement of additional stakeholders such as antenatal care professionals may be required. Stakeholders need a common understanding of the processes and technical concepts required to ensure smooth implementation of influenza vaccine in pregnant women as their functions in the decision and implementation planning process are interrelated and co-dependent.

WHO influenza recommendations aim to protect vulnerable high-risk groups from severe disease. In 2012, WHO published a position paper on influenza vaccine, which identified pregnant women as the highest priority group for countries considering the initiation or expansion of programmes for seasonal influenza vaccination. In general, maternal vaccination is particularly important to protect both mothers and children up to six months after birth, for whom there is no other preventive treatment option.

The WHO maternal influenza vaccine recommendation, successful experiences with introducing Tetanus Toxoid vaccination for pregnant women, and anticipated future vaccines being considered specifically for pregnant women, highlight the importance and feasibility of establishing a strong maternal immunization platform. Maternal influenza vaccination programs present a key opportunity to establish or augment this platform to protect pregnant women and their infants, who are both at high risk of severe illness from influenza and other diseases of public health importance.

A well-functioning health system provides equitable access to essential medical products, vaccines and technologies of assured quality, safety and efficacy, and acceptability. The introduction of maternal influenza vaccination requires a scientifically sound and cost-effective approach as well as sufficient human resources and training. As expanded service delivery may put additional stress to health systems, decision makers considering the introduction of maternal influenza vaccination need to assess the impact of the vaccine’s introduction on the health system and its components, which act as a set of inter connected parts that have to effectively function together.