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Pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough,” is a vaccine-preventable illness more common and more severe in children than in adults. Infections during the first few months of life can be particularly severe, with almost all deaths from pertussis occurring in infants less than 6 months of age. A vaccinated mother’s antibodies against pertussis protect the baby during pregnancy until it can receive the vaccine at two months of age. Approximately 400 probable and 50 confirmed cases occur annually among service members and other adult beneficiaries of the Military Health System. In 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Tdap for every pregnancy to reduce the burden of pertussis in infants. This surveillance study assessed Tdap vaccination coverage among pregnant service women during 2006 through 2014. FINDINGS: • There were records of a total of 137,133 live birth deliveries to service women • Only 1% – 3% of service women received a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy from 2006 – 2011 • Tdap vaccination coverage increased substantially – 8% in 2012 to 54% in 2014 • Navy women had the highest annual proportion of vaccine coverage at 65% in 2014 • First deliveries had the highest vaccination coverage at 57% in 2014 • Fourth or subsequent deliveries had the lowest coverage at 41% in 2014 More education and attention by military physicians and pregnant service women about the benefits of Tdap vaccination are needed to bring coverage closer to 100%. Learn more in MSMR Vol. 22 No. 5 May 2015 at Health.mil/MSMR Images on graphic: • Baby icon to depict live birth deliveries • Pie charts showing the findings in visual form • Line graph showing the percent vaccinated among Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard The line graph shows the annual percentages of active component service women with a live birth delivery who received a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, by year of delivery and service, 2011– 2014.

This infographic documents findings from a surveillance study that assessed Tdap vaccination coverage among pregnant service women during 2006 through 2014.

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Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis | Women's Health

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