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ACOG Committee Opinion No. 521: Update on immunization and pregnancy: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccination

    Obstetrics and Gynecology
    |February 23, 2012
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pregnant women should receive the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to protect infants from pertussis. This recommendation is based on safety data and aims to reduce disease transmission.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Immunology
    • Obstetrics

    Background:

    • Recent increase in pertussis (whooping cough) incidence in the United States.
    • Established recommendations for Tdap vaccination in pregnant women and those in contact with infants.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review and update recommendations for tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine use in pregnant women.
    • To facilitate Tdap vaccine use to decrease pertussis burden and infant transmission risk.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of data on Tdap vaccine safety, immunogenicity, and barriers to receipt.
    • Analysis of guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
    • Consideration of support from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Obstetric Practice.

    Main Results:

    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved Tdap recommendations for pregnant women in 2011.
    • Revised guidelines address special situations during pregnancy and for individuals in contact with infants.
    • No evidence of adverse fetal effects from vaccinating pregnant women with inactivated vaccines or toxoids.

    Conclusions:

    • Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is recommended to protect infants from pertussis.
    • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports Tdap administration during pregnancy.
    • Revised guidelines aim to enhance Tdap vaccine uptake and reduce pertussis transmission.

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