TDAP Vaccine During Pregnancy Lowers Pertussis Risk In Newborns

Tdap vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy effectively protected infants against pertussis, according to a recent study.

The case-control study included 240 infants with pertussis at less than 2 months of age and 535 healthy infants matched by hospital and birth. Interviews were used to collect information on demographics, household characteristics, and healthcare provider, and immunization history of mothers and infants was obtained. Tdap vaccination was defined as the mother receiving the vaccine 14 days or more before delivery.
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Using multivariable logistic regression, the researchers calculated the odds ratio and estimated the vaccine’s effectiveness.

A total of 17 (7.1%) mothers of infants with pertussis and 90 (16.8%) mothers of healthy infants received Tdap during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Overall, the vaccine’s effectiveness when administered during the third trimester of pregnancy was 77.7% (95% CI: 48.3% to 90.4%) and increased to 90.5% (95% CI: 65.2%-97.4%) when compared against hospitalized cases.

“Vaccination during pregnancy is an effective way to protect infants during the early months of life,” the researchers concluded. “With a continuing resurgence in pertussis, efforts should focus on maximizing Tdap uptake among pregnant women.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Skoff TH, Blain AE, Watt J, et al. Impact of the US maternal tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination program on preventing pertussis in infants <2 months of age: a case-control evaluation. Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12): 1977–1983. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cix724.