Cocooning infants: Tdap immunization for new parents in the pediatric office.
Journal Article
OBJECTIVE: Vaccination with tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) is recommended for adults who have close contact with infants aged <12 months to protect young infants from infection due to Bordetella pertussis. This study assessed the acceptance of Tdap vaccination among parents bringing their newborn to a pediatric office during the first month of life. METHODS: Parents of all newborns were consecutively approached for participation by a study coordinator who provided written information about the study and a Tdap vaccine information sheet. After obtaining informed consent, a study coordinator reviewed contraindications for Tdap vaccination. Tdap vaccine was given by a clinic nurse, but parents with a history of ever receiving Tdap vaccine or of receiving a tetanus and diphtheria vaccine (Td) within the previous 2 years were excluded. RESULTS: Two hundred parents were approached for study participation, of whom 40 (20%) were ineligible to receive Tdap vaccine primarily due to receipt of Td vaccine within the previous 2 years (32/40). Of the 160 eligible to receive Tdap vaccine, 82 (51.2%) received a dose. Although nearly 60% of vaccinated parents received Tdap vaccine the first time they were approached, over 40% received Tdap vaccine at a subsequent office visit occurring during the baby's first month of life. CONCLUSIONS: Offering Tdap vaccine in the pediatric office increases access to vaccination for both new fathers and mothers. When hospital-based, postpartum Tdap vaccination is not a routine practice, office-based vaccination of parents offers an option for protecting young infants.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Walter, EB; Allred, N; Rowe-West, B; Chmielewski, K; Kretsinger, K; Dolor, RJ
Published Date
- September 2009
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 9 / 5
Start / End Page
- 344 - 347
PubMed ID
- 19596219
Pubmed Central ID
- 19596219
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1876-2867
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.acap.2009.05.027
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States