CDC Study: Whooping Cough Vaccine During Pregnancy Benefits Newborns

WASHINGTON. A study published by the CDC on Monday suggests that Tdap vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborns from whooping cough during their first two months of life.

Whooping cough, or whooping cough, is highly contagious and can cause serious illness in people of all ages, but is especially dangerous for babies. According to the CDC, most whooping cough deaths each year occur in children under 3 months of age.

Tdap, a combination of three vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, has been recommended during pregnancy for more than a decade.

In the new study, for the first time, researchers have looked at population-level trends in infant pertussis cases since this vaccination strategy began in 2011, according to Monday’s announcement.

The study showed that after the introduction of the maternal Tdap vaccine, there was a steady decrease in the incidence of whooping cough among children less than 2 months old.

“Every pregnant woman should feel confident knowing that the Tdap vaccine is safe and effective,” said Dr. Linda Eckert, a representative of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. “Knowing that Tdap vaccination during pregnancy protects nine out of 10 children from being hospitalized with whooping cough, I strongly recommend this vaccine to all my pregnant patients for their peace of mind and the health and well-being of their families.”

The CDC said the results support the agency’s recommendation to vaccinate Tdap at 27-36 weeks of each pregnancy. In addition, all people in close contact with infants should be up to date on whooping cough vaccinations.