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Current antenatal pertussis vaccination guidelines miss preterm infants: An epidemiological study from the Northern

Priya Darshene Janagaraj1, Pari Shanmuga Raman Gurusamy2, Rosalind Webby1

  • 1Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Tiwi, Northern Territory, Australia.

The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|September 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Maternal pertussis vaccination protects infants, but current 28-week guidelines leave many preterm babies unprotected. Expanding vaccination earlier, from 20 weeks, could significantly improve infant immunity against pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Immunology
  • Maternal and Child Health

Background:

  • Antenatal pertussis vaccination is crucial for infant protection against pertussis.
  • Current guidelines recommend maternal vaccination from 28 weeks of gestation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess antenatal pertussis vaccination coverage in the Northern Territory.
  • To identify socio-demographic factors influencing vaccine uptake.
  • To evaluate coverage gaps, particularly for preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of all viable births in Northern Territory public hospitals in 2016.
  • Utilized validated birth and immunization data.
  • Analyzed vaccination coverage based on gestational age and socio-demographic factors.

Main Results:

  • Overall antenatal pertussis vaccination coverage was 48.9% based on 28-week guidelines.
  • Coverage was significantly lower for preterm births (33.5%) compared to term births.
  • Mothers younger than 35 were more likely to receive the vaccine.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial majority (66.5%) of preterm infants remain unprotected due to current vaccination timing.
  • Reviewing the safety and acceptability of second-trimester vaccination is recommended.
  • Implementing pertussis vaccination from 20 weeks gestation could maximize protection for all infants, including pre-term.
Abstract

Keywords:
dTpaimmunisationinfantspertussispregnancy

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