Knowledge Building among Health Professionals

Health-care workers are one of the target groups recommended for vaccination against influenza by WHO. However, even in settings with a robust medical education infrastructure, information on maternal vaccination may be limited and may prevent health professionals (gynaecologists, obstetricians, midwives, nurses, family/general practitioners and other health staff) from providing reliable information on the benefits and risks of maternal influenza vaccination [37].

Informed health professionals (e.g. gynaecologists, obstetricians, family practitioners, midwives, nurses) are more likely to recommend influenza vaccination and are better positioned to inform pregnant women and their families and thus help to improve vaccine uptake in pregnant women and women of reproductive age [38]. Including information on vaccination of pregnant women in pre-service curricula for medical schools, nursing schools and other training institutions targeting health professionals may help to establish knowledge for future providers of maternal immunization.