Expert opinion on the way forward for improving maternal influenza vaccination in India.

: Although clinical evidence demonstrates the benefit of maternal influenza vaccination in any trimester, influenza vaccination is not widely accepted in India as an integral part of antenatal care. There is a lack of familiarity among obstetricians of clinical guidelines on maternal influenza vaccination. This can be addressed with an education campaign targeting obstetricians and other providers of maternal healthcare. With variable influenza seasons between regions in India, common vaccine stock shortages, and data suggesting influenza vaccination is feasible anytime in pregnancy, all opportunities to offer vaccination to this high-risk group for severe influenza disease should be considered.