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2009 CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership ConferenceProviding Tdap vaccines to postpartum women to reduce pertussis in newbornsPRIMARY CONTACT:Audrey M Stevenson, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, MPHDivision DirectorSalt Lake Valley Health Department2001 So. State, S-3800Salt Lake City, Utah, UT, 84190-2150Phone: (801) 468-2756Fax: (801) 468-2737Email: astevenson@slco.orgCATEGORYInfant mortality and morbidityInfectious disease and MCHFOCUSProgram Policy FocusISSUEPertussis cases in Salt Lake County have increased by over 300% since 2006. Pertussis is highlycontagious in unvaccinated infants. Recent studies have shown that about half of babies with pertussis getthe illness from their parents. An additional 25% to 35% get the illness from another household member.Pertussis can be very serious in infants and young children by causing pneumonia, seizures, and evendeath.SETTINGHealth officials are now urging new mothers to protect their newborns by getting vaccinated themselvesagainst pertussis. CDC says that new parents, especially mothers, should receive the Tdap vaccine beforetaking their babies home from the hospital. Despite the availability of Tdap in hospitals, many newmothers leave the hospital without receiving the vaccine because they did not understand the purpose ofthe vaccine.PROJECTThe Salt Lake Valley Health Department has instituted a project to ensure that all mothers of newbornsreceive information about the Tdap vaccine. This education is provided at all WIC clinics, and at the twoHealth Department Clinic sites where prenatal services are housed. Public Health Nurses teach about theimportance of Tdap when doing home visits where there is a young child. In addition, all adultspresenting for Immunization services at a Health Department Clinic are asked about their Tdap status andeducated about the importance of receiving the vaccine, even if they are not the ones presenting forimmunization services.70