# The VAX-MOM study: Increasing Influenza and Tdap Vaccinations of Pregnant Women

> **NIH ALLCDC U01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 2021 · $499,999

## Abstract

Infants under 6 months of age are at increased risk of both influenza (flu) and pertussis disease, and pregnant
women risk serious illness and premature labor from flu. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
recommends that women receive a flu vaccine in flu season, and tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid,
acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during each pregnancy (ideally between 27-36 weeks) to lower the risk for
flu and pertussis disease for themselves and their infants. However, only half of pregnant women in the US
receive a flu and Tdap vaccine, respectively; only 33% of women receive both vaccines. Lack of vaccination
stems from a combination of patient (lack of knowledge, vaccine hesitancy), provider (suboptimal
communication skills, missed opportunities), and system (e.g. lack of standing orders and patient reminders)
factors. An effective intervention is needed to improve flu and Tdap vaccination rates for pregnant women. We
will adapt our highly successful QI-based interventions (communication training, provider prompts, provider
feedback, and standing orders) and reminder/recall interventions used for other vaccines to the VAX-MOM
project. Aim 1 of this project is to measure baseline flu/Tdap vaccination coverage and provider knowledge,
attitudes and behaviors for flu/Tdap vaccination in 32 OB/GYN practices in 4 health systems in NY and CA.
Aim 2 is to use a clustered RCT (practice randomization) to measure the effect of a multi-component QI
intervention (VAX-MOM: training in communication, provider prompts, standing orders + feedback on rates) on
vaccination rates and provider attitudes, and to measure costs of the intervention. Aim 3 is to measure the
effect of a patient-based reminder/education intervention on vaccination rates of pregnant mothers, using a
RCT provided to control practices (with patient randomization) in Year 3. Aim 4 is to develop a translation
plan/toolkit for OB/GYN practices and health systems for maternal vaccination. If the VAX-MOM intervention
and the patient reminder/education studies are successful, we will have a scalable set of interventions at both
the practice level and the health system level to raise maternal vaccination rates.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10220817
- **Project number:** 5U01IP001114-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Cynthia M Rand
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $499,999
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10220817

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10220817, The VAX-MOM study: Increasing Influenza and Tdap Vaccinations of Pregnant Women (5U01IP001114-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10220817. Licensed CC0.

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