Advocating for Childcare Employee Single-Dose Tdap Vaccination to Combat Infant Pertussis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Immunology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence is at a record high, posing a significant threat to infants under 12 months.
• Infants are highly vulnerable to severe respiratory illness, hospitalization, and death from pertussis.
• Diminished herd immunity necessitates strategies like cocooning to protect vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical need for Tdap vaccination among childcare employees to protect infants.
• To explore the role of advanced practice nurses in advocating for state-level Tdap vaccination policies in childcare settings.
• To identify initial advocacy steps for advanced practice registered nurses.

Main Methods:

• Review of current pertussis incidence and infant vulnerability data.
• Analysis of existing state childcare regulations regarding Tdap vaccination for employees.
• Discussion of advocacy strategies for advanced practice nurses.

Main Results:

• Only 11 states have regulations mandating Tdap vaccination for childcare employees.
• There is a significant gap between recommendations and implementation of Tdap vaccination for childcare workers.
• Advanced practice nurses are uniquely positioned to lead advocacy efforts.

Conclusions:

• Childcare employee Tdap vaccination is essential for infant pertussis prevention.
• State-level advocacy is required to improve vaccination rates among childcare workers.
• Advanced practice nurses can drive policy change to protect vulnerable infants.