Objective: This study was undertaken to measure the uptake of pertussis vaccination during pregnancy in Canada and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with non-vaccination.
Methods: A total of 5091 biological mothers of children born between September 2, 2018, and March 1, 2019, were interviewed about pertussis vaccination during their pregnancy.
Results: Among 4607 mothers who recalled whether they had been vaccinated for pertussis, 43% had been vaccinated and 57% had not. The main reason given by mothers for not having been vaccinated was not being aware that pertussis vaccination was recommended. Factors independently associated with non-vaccination were being born outside Canada, lower household income, living in a province or territory where pertussis vaccination was not provided free of charge, having had previous live births, and having received maternity care from a midwife.
Conclusion: Advice from the maternity care provider is an important driver of pertussis vaccination during pregnancy.
Keywords: Canada; pertussis; pregnancy; socioeconomic factors; vaccination.
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