Vaccine
Volume 32, Issue 51, Pages 6867-7032 (5 December 2014)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0264410X/32/51

Pertussis vaccine for adults: Knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine receipt among adults with children in the household
Original Research Article
Pages 7000-7004
Manika Suryadevara, Cynthia A. Bonville, Donald A. Cibula, Matthew Valente, Andrew Handel, James R. Domachowse, Joseph B. Domachowske
Abstract
Background
Pertussis is a highly contagious vaccine preventable disease resulting in significant infant morbidity and mortality. Despite the recommendations for pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in adults, coverage rates in this age group remain suboptimal. We sought to determine factors associated with Tdap receipt among adults with children in the household who live in central New York.
Methods
The study team surveyed Tdap immunization status of adults who accessed medical services for their children provided by Golisano Children’s Hospital, Syracuse, New York. Adults who did not know their Tdap vaccine status were excluded. Each participant was asked a standard set of questions to determine factors associated with Tdap receipt. Logistic regression was used to calculate simple and adjusted odds ratios for Tdap receipt in relation to adults’ demographic characteristics, knowledge of Tdap and physician recommendations.
Results
Eight hundred twenty four participants were included in this study; 34% had received Tdap in the past 5 years; 58% reported that their provider or child’s pediatrician recommended adult Tdap vaccination. Tdap receipt was associated with knowing the symptoms of pertussis infection, female gender, younger age, and provider recommendation (p < 0.05). Participants whose provider recommended Tdap vaccine were 24.6 times more likely to receive vaccine when compared to those whose providers did not recommend vaccine (95% CI: 16.3, 37.2, p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Tdap coverage rates are low among this study population, with provider recommendation most strongly associated with Tdap receipt. Future steps to improve vaccine coverage should include both increasing community awareness and determining barriers to provider recommendation.