A study of pregnant or recently pregnant Māori and Pasifika women found that those who did not receive maternal vaccinations often experienced ineffective communication with inadequate information. A total of 15 women aged 20-37 years were interviewed for the study in Dunedin and Gisborne. Only 2 participants were vaccinated against both influenza and pertussis during their pregnancy. Most women had been informed about maternal vaccines by their midwife, but some were unaware of vaccine recommendations. In some cases, women were not given written materials, or they were given only written materials with no supporting discussion. The authors concluded that system changes are needed to ensure that every pregnant woman, regardless of parity, is aware of the benefits and recommendations for maternal vaccination. Information should take the form of discussions with trusted healthcare providers, supplemented with written material to access at a later time.
