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Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Commentary
This articles discusses the need for policy that promotes equitable access to holistic support in pregnancy care to address racial disparities in maternal care. The authors outline recommendations to increase access to medical care and social support for pregnant patients, particularly for the most vulnerable.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Peer Review Study
This review summarized existing data on racial disparities in maternal immunization for influenza in the U.S. and reviewed the literature on interventions to improve the uptake of the influenza vaccine among Black pregnant women. U.S. survey data on maternal influenza immunization by racial and ethnic group were summarized in narrative form. The study found that a decade of survey data show that Black women in the U.S. consistently have the lowest rate of influenza immunization in pregnancy. Black women report a lower rate of being recommended or offered the vaccine, and provider recommendation is associated with greater vaccine uptake. Intervention studies to increase influenza immunization among Black pregnant women have reported mixed results. Successful interventions include multicomponent practice-based interventions, group prenatal care, and culturally competent patient educational messages.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Peer Review Study
This paper analyzes the policy components that contribute to the programmatic success of flu and Tdap pregnancy vaccine programs in three high-income countries, including the United States. Key pillars to increased vaccination coverage include Health Authority accountability, facilitated patient access to vaccination, healthcare professional accountability and engagement, awareness of the burden and severity of diseases, and finally, belief in the benefits of pregnancy vaccination. In the US, given the higher diversity of stakeholders, a multi-stakeholder approach with calls to action from the CDC and endorsement from other scientific societies were key to uptake of vaccinations in pregnancy. It is recommended that maternal task forces reinforce these messages, disseminate toolkits, and that partners address barriers that stand in the way of vaccination, including ensuring that vaccination clinics are convenient for pregnant woman. Successful programs do not require implementation of all components; instead, public health experts should use these as components as guiding tools that can be refined depending on the specificities of the healthcare system in place.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Peer Review Study, Summary Report/Recommendations
The guidance outlined in this report provides a roadmap for the ethical inclusion of pregnant women’s experiences in in the development and deployment of vaccines against emerging viruses. Recommendations include bolstering health information surveillance systems, stakeholder engagement with health care, women, families and communities, and changing the narrative about pregnancy and clinical research efforts. Recommendations require commitment of financial resources, addressing inequities in public health and whenever possible, the inclusion of perspectives of pregnant women. Lastly, the authors recommend that “When there is a limited supply of vaccine against a pathogenic threat that disproportionately affects pregnant women, their offspring, or both, or when only one vaccine among several is appropriate for use in pregnancy, then pregnant women should be among the priority groups to be offered the vaccine.” This prioritization process is key to addressing inequities and are guidance for future pandemic response efforts.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study
Maternity healthcare professionals (MHCPs) play an important role in promoting vaccines and influencing the perspectives of pregnant women. This systematic review outlines the views and experiences of these key workforce members involved in the provision of the maternal influenza vaccine worldwide. In order to promote vaccine uptake, results indicate that it is important to educate MHCPs, ensure there is sufficient time for discussions, and implement electronic vaccination prompts. These, in addition to national policies and guidelines, helped increase the confidence of these professionals in recommending vaccination.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
The guidance outlined in this report provides a roadmap for the ethical inclusion of pregnant women’s experiences in the development and deployment of vaccines against emerging viruses. Recommendations include (1) bolstering health information surveillance systems, (2) stakeholder engagement with health care, women, families and communities, and (3) changing the narrative about pregnancy and clinical research efforts. Recommendations require commitment of financial resources, addressing inequities in public health, and whenever possible, the inclusion of perspectives of pregnant women. Lastly, the authors recommend that “When there is a limited supply of vaccine against a pathogenic threat that disproportionately affects pregnant women, their offspring, or both, or when only one vaccine among several is appropriate for use in pregnancy, then pregnant women should be among the priority groups to be offered the vaccine.” This prioritization process is key to addressing inequities and are guidance for future pandemic response efforts.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
In this report, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) discusses maternal immunizations best practices, as well as gaps to implementation recommendations. One recommendation includes focusing efforts to improve financing for immunization services during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Public health and health care partners can support efforts promoting new payment and delivery models, patient-centered medical homes, and accountable care organizations. NVAC also recommends partnering with professional organizations and other maternal immunization stakeholders to develop toolkits and guidance for improving processes.
Novel Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and are in the process of generating evidence of effectiveness or may not yet be tested.
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Data Collection Tool
The Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences Impact Survey (COPE-IS) is an assessment tool for new and expecting mothers that was built through a collaborative process with more than 100 scientists and clinicians involved. The tool focuses on experiences of new and expecting mothers, including exposure to COVID-19, financial considerations, social support, restricted activities, and coping.
Novel Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and are in the process of generating evidence of effectiveness or may not yet be tested.
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Peer Review Study
Survey on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women that can be adapted to assessing the experiences of this population in future crises. This article discusses the findings of a survey distributed to 1,439 Dutch women who were pregnant between April 4-May 10, 2020. The survey included multiple scales, such as the COVID-19 and Perinatal Experiences scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Edinburgh Depression Scale, and compared results with a similar survey completed in 2018. The survey included 8 key domain areas, including topics like financial stress, social support, partner support, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms, to name a few. Women reported higher worries related to COVID-19 in general, and also reported higher work/financial related worries. Depression and anxiety also increased, with anxiety rates increasing two-fold.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
This report highlights the efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (2-dose series) for pregnant mothers and their infants. In the aftermath of the Delta and Omicron waves, infants born to unvaccinated mothers were more likely to be among those hospitalized for COVID-19.