Engaging Expectant Parents to Receive Tdap Vaccination

Abstract

Objective To assess the acceptability of a Tdap vaccination program for partners of pregnant women.

Study Design Pregnant women and their partners were enrolled in a prospective acceptability study. For partners absent during the initial encounter, an introductory letter inviting the partner to participate was sent home. Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) was offered to vaccine-eligible partners while vaccine-eligible pregnant women were offered Tdap immediately postpartum, as per national recommendations at the time the study was conducted. Tdap acceptance was defined as vaccination during study participation.

Results A total of 69 pregnant women and 63 partners were enrolled. Excluding the 19 partners reporting prior receipt, 61.4% of partners (27/44) accepted Tdap during the study. Those who enrolled following the introductory letter were more likely to accept Tdap than those enrolled at the initial encounter (84 vs. 44%, p = 0.005). Excluding the 29 pregnant women reporting prior receipt, 65% (26/40) received Tdap postpartum. Demographic factors and vaccine beliefs were not associated with Tdap acceptance.

Conclusion Tdap vaccination for partners of pregnant women during prenatal care is acceptable. Large-scale implementation would require substantial interest and willingness of obstetrician-gynecologists to administer Tdap not only to pregnant women but also to their partners. Such a program would provide improved “cocooning” of vulnerable infants against pertussis.

Keywords

pertussis - maternal immunization - cocooning

Note

This work was presented in part at the Infectious Disease Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, August 2011.

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