Barriers to receipt of prenatal tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine among mothers of infants aged <4 months with pertussis — California, 2016

What is already known about this topic? Although tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination is recommended for all pregnant women during 27-36 weeks’ gestation to prevent infant pertussis, coverage among pregnant women is suboptimal. What is added by this report? Among 66 interviewed mothers of infants aged <4 months with pertussis, 30% appropriately received Tdap vaccine. Women whose clinics stocked Tdap vaccine were more likely to be vaccinated. Women with Medicaid were less likely to be vaccinated than were those with private insurance, even when treated in clinics that stocked Tdap vaccine. What are the implications for public health practice? Promoting on-site prenatal vaccination, educating providers about Tdap recommendations, and strengthening off-site referral likely will improve Tdap vaccination coverage during pregnancy.