Survey of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents Regarding Pneumococcal Vaccination in Pregnancy: Education, Knowledge, and Barriers to Vaccination

Abstract

Objective. The 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for adults over 65 years of age and younger adults with certain medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state insufficient evidence to recommend routine pneumococcal vaccination during pregnancy, but the vaccine is indicated for pregnant women with certain medical conditions. We designed this project to gauge obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) resident knowledge of maternal pneumococcal vaccination. Methods. We administered a 22-question survey to OB/GYN residents about maternal pneumococcal vaccination. We performed descriptive analysis for each question. Results. 238 OB/GYN residents responded. Overall, 69.3% of residents reported receiving vaccination education and 86.0% reported having ready access to vaccine guidelines and safety data. Most residents knew that asplenia (78.2%), pulmonary disease (77.3%), and HIV/AIDS (69.4%) are indications for vaccination but less knew that cardiovascular disease (45.0%), diabetes (35.8%), asthma (42.8%), nephrotic syndrome (19.7%), and renal failure (33.6%) are also indications for vaccination. Conclusion. OB/GYN residents are taught about vaccines and have ready access to vaccine guidelines and safety data. However, knowledge of indications for pneumococcal vaccination in pregnancy is lacking. Likely, the opportunity to vaccinate at-risk pregnant patients is being missed.

Association of Tdap vaccine guidelines with vaccine uptake during pregnancy

“…Moreover, at-risk pregnant individuals should be counseled on the benefits of the pneumococcal vaccine [1]. Among our study cohort, pneumococcal vaccine uptake was low throughout the study period, consistent with prior reports of poor obstetric provider knowledge about the pneumococcal vaccine [20,21]. A 2020 survey assessing resident knowledge on pneumococcal vaccine during pregnancy found that obstetrics and gynecology residents expressed a comfort level of 3.8/10 in regards to understanding potential candidates for the vaccine [20].…”

“…A 2020 survey assessing resident knowledge on pneumococcal vaccine during pregnancy found that obstetrics and gynecology residents expressed a comfort level of 3.8/10 in regards to understanding potential candidates for the vaccine [20]. Another study on a nationally representative sample of residents found that the majority of residents demonstrated low or moderate knowledge of the indications for pneumococcal vaccine during pregnancy [21]. Areas for future work include examining whether improving provider knowledge of pneumococcal vaccine eligibility criteria results in improved patient receipt of indicated vaccines.…”