Tdap Education and Administration During the Postpartum Period (Clinical Report‪)‬

Abstract Pertussis, or whooping cough, has reemerged in adolescents and adults due to the waning immunity of childhood vaccines, subsequently increasing the risk of transmission to susceptible populations, particularly infants. Pertussis in infants can lead to severe complications, increased hospitalizations, and death. The pertussis booster, Tdap, was licensed in 2005 and recommended for use on adults ages 19-64 to prevent pertussis and extend immunity. Decreasing pertussis incidence would decrease the risk of exposure and illness in susceptible infants and the general population; however, many adults are not receiving education from providers and therefore are not getting the Tdap vaccine.