Ousseny Zerbo, PhD, highlights benefits of influenza vaccination during pregnancy

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Ousseny Zerbo, PhD, research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, discussed the serious consequences of influenza infection during pregnancy and emphasized the importance of prenatal flu vaccination.

Influenza poses heightened risks for pregnant individuals because of physiological and immunological changes that occur during pregnancy. These changes make pregnant women more susceptible to severe flu complications, including hospitalization. Furthermore, contracting influenza while pregnant can lead to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and even miscarriage, underscoring the need for preventive measures such as vaccination.

Zerbo explained that one of the key benefits of flu vaccination during pregnancy is the transfer of protective antibodies from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. This passive immunity protects the newborn during the critical first 6 months of life—a period when infants are too young to receive the flu vaccine themselves but are still highly vulnerable to influenza-related complications. His study found that infants whose mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy had a 44% lower risk of contracting the flu compared to those whose mothers were not vaccinated.

These findings carry significant implications, especially at a time when flu vaccine uptake among pregnant women remains low. Not only does maternal vaccination reduce the risk of flu in infants, but it also contributes to lowering their risk of hospitalization. Although the study’s data on infant hospitalization wasn’t conclusive enough to be definitive, it still supports the broader protective impact of maternal immunization.

Zerbo urged clinicians to use these findings to encourage vaccine uptake among pregnant patients. He suggested that informing expectant mothers about the dual benefits of vaccination—for both themselves and their babies—can be a persuasive approach. By highlighting that a single flu shot can provide protection to both mother and child, clinicians can add a compelling reason for patients to get vaccinated.

Finally, Zerbo encouraged both pregnant individuals and health care providers to prepare for the upcoming flu season by discussing vaccination early, starting as soon as August. His core message was clear: with just one flu shot, pregnant individuals can significantly protect both their own health and that of their newborns during a vulnerable period.

No relevant disclosures.