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.