Evaluation of the Impact of a Program to Raise Awareness About Flu Vaccination and a Vaccination Campaign Aimed at Women Participating in the Childbirth Preparation Course Held at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Influenza is a serious Public Health problem, which causes a high number of cases and deaths worldwide each year. In Italy, about 8 million cases were reported in the 2018/2019 flu season, 809 of which were severe, with 198 deaths. Pregnant women are considered one of the most at-risk groups, as infection can lead to serious complications for the mother and fetus. The Italian Ministry of Health recommends free flu vaccination for pregnant women in the second or third trimester, as the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting the mother, fetus and newborn.

During the 2018-2019 flu season, the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS (FPG) held an educational session on maternal and childhood vaccinations in the context of the Childbirth Preparation Course held monthly at the FPG, offering the on-site flu vaccination to participants and their partners, if present.

The objectives of this study are: to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding vaccination in the course participants, assessing their changes through a pre-post anonymous questionnaire; to evaluate the impact of the flu vaccination strategy implemented, through the analysis of vaccination coverage.