Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess whether there was an effect on maternal vaccine utilization rates when common barriers (e.g., lack of education or decreased access) were rectified. The study sought to answer the two clinical questions: (1) In pregnant patients will the use of educational-based telephone calls as an educational tool improve immunization rates? (2) In pregnant patients is there an effect on Tdap vaccine utilization when the patient can receive the vaccine in the obstetricians’ office versus not being able to receive the vaccine in the obstetricians’ office?

Methods/Setting: Twenty antepartum/postpartum participants aged 18-40 were interviewed in a north Georgia hospital labor and delivery unit before and after delivery using questions from the PRAMS questionnaire.

Design: A quantitative, correlational methodology and design was utilized for this study, and data entered and analyzed using SPSS (v.21) and McNemar statistical testing.

Results: Before the educational calls were made and access education was offered, none of the 20 participants had received Tdap immunization during pregnancy. Following the interventions and during the postpartum survey, 15 of the 20 participants reported that they had been vaccinated (75% vaccination rate).

Conclusion: The results show that lack of vaccine education and the inability to access the Tdap vaccine influence vaccine utilization rates.

Keywords: Tdap vaccine, antepartum, postpartum, barriers, access, knowledge, PRAMS questionnaire.