Predictors of Tdap vaccine acceptance in pregnancy before and after delivery

Tdap vaccine receipt in the immediate postpartum period has not been well studied.

We study factors associated with Tdap vaccine receipt during both pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period.

Retrospective study of 2844 pregnant patients that delivered.

Factors from demographics, medical history, previous obstetric history, prenatal care, and previous vaccination history were included.

39.7% of patients received the Tdap vaccine, 39.5% received the Tdap vaccine prior to delivery, and 20.8% received the Tdap vaccine between delivery and discharge. Increased age (relative risk ratio (RRR): 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99, p = 0.01) and lower number of prenatal care visits of fewer than 11 (RRR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.64, p < 0.001) were associated with decreased likelihood of vaccine receipt before delivery. Spanish language (before: RRR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.69, 3.25, p < 0.001; after: RRR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.49, p = 0.01) and South Asian languages (before: RRR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.32, p = 0.04; after: RRR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.69, p = 0.03) had similar patterns for increased likelihood of Tdap vaccine receipt before and after delivery. Race/ethnicity of Hispanic (RRR:1.84, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.59, p = 0.001), Asian (RRR:1.65, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.22, p = 0.001), and receipt of influenza vaccine during current pregnancy (RRR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.91, p < 0.001) were associated with increased likelihood before delivery.

Prenatal Tdap vaccination is the best way to prevent infection with B. pertussis. Postpartum Tdap vaccination provides some protection for those declining prenatal vaccination. We recommend that clinicians recognize that there are different patterns for Tdap vaccine receipt before and after delivery and tailor Tdap vaccine counseling based on these patterns.