What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to assess antenatal care visit timing and frequency in relation to maternal RSV vaccination timing across four Latin American countries.

June 21, 2026Open Access

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Timing and frequency of antenatal care visits in relation to maternal respiratory syncytial virus vaccine opportunities in four Latin American countries

JFJessica A. FlemingProgram for Appropriate Technology in Health VCValentina ColistroUniversity of Nicosia SKSophia KnudsonProgram for Appropriate Technology in Health

Key Points

The aim is to assess antenatal care visit timing and frequency in relation to maternal RSV vaccination timing across four Latin American countries.
Conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using Perinatal Information System data from eight facilities in Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Uruguay.
Included women aged 15–45 years with at least one antenatal care visit in 2023 and a live singleton birth.
Defined RSV vaccination eligibility based on Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization recommendations.
Included 37,604 women with median gestational age at antenatal care initiation of 12 weeks.
63.5% attended at least one ANC visit during the PAHO window, varying from 53.6% in Honduras to 82.3% in Uruguay.
91.4% attended within the WHO window, with an average of five ANC visits per woman.

Abstract

Introduction: The Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) has historically been an early adopter of new vaccines, including the recently introduced maternal vaccine to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Since maternal RSV vaccination requires gestational age (GA)-specific administration, antenatal care (ANC)-based delivery feasibility depends on ANC visit timing and frequency. We assessed ANC attendance relative to recommended vaccination windows in four LAC countries to inform planning for maternal RSV vaccine implementation and future maternal immunization programs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis from Perinatal Information System data across eight tertiary facilities in Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Uruguay. Women 15–45 years old with ≥1 ANC visit in 2023 and a live, singleton birth at a study facility were included. GA per visit was extracted or derived from last menstrual period or birth data. We defined RSV vaccination eligibility according to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (32–36 weeks) and World Health Organization (WHO) (≥ 28 weeks) recommendations. Descriptive analyses summarized ANC initiation, visit timing, and the proportion of women attending visits within eligibility windows. Results: We included 37,604 women. The median GA at ANC initiation was 12 weeks, ranging from 10 weeks (Uruguay) to 15 weeks (Ecuador). Overall, 63.5% of women attended at least one ANC visit during the PAHO window, with country-specific proportions from 53.6% (Honduras) to 82.3% (Uruguay). Attendance within the WHO window was higher (91.4%). Median ANC attendance was five visits, ranging from five (Honduras) to eight (Uruguay). Earlier ANC initiation was associated with higher visit counts. Discussion: There is substantial potential for achieving high maternal RSV vaccine coverage in LAC, particularly per broader WHO vaccine recommendations. Where ANC begins later or visits are fewer, narrower vaccine-eligible windows may limit achievable coverage. Strengthening early ANC engagement and immunization counseling may increase vaccination opportunities.

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Cite This Study

Fleming et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a377fdd24f042ddf4c5a23b https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128854

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