Introduction: Outbreaks of pertussis can occur in healthcare settings. Vaccinating healthcare personnel may be helpful in protecting healthcare personnel from pertussis and potentially limiting spread to others in healthcare settings.
Methods: Data from 21 states using the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System industry/occupation module were analyzed in 2016. Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination status was self-reported by healthcare personnel along with their occupation, healthcare setting/industry, demographics, and access to care factors. To compare groups, t-tests were used. The median state response rate was 44.0%.
Results: Among all healthcare personnel, 47.2% were vaccinated for Tdap. Physicians had higher Tdap coverage (66.8%) compared with all other healthcare personnel except nurse practitioners and registered nurses (59.5%), whose coverage did not statistically differ from that of physicians. Tdap vaccination coverage was higher among workers in hospitals (53.3%) than in long-term care facilities (33.3%) and other clinical settings, such as dentist, chiropractor, and optometrist offices (39.3%). Healthcare personnel who were younger, who had higher education, higher annual household income, a personal healthcare provider, and health insurance had higher Tdap vaccination coverage compared with reference groups. Tdap vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel in 21 states ranged from 30.6% in Mississippi to 65.9% in Washington.
Conclusions: Improvement in Tdap vaccination among healthcare personnel is needed to potentially reduce opportunities for spread of pertussis in healthcare settings. On-site workplace vaccination, offering vaccines free of charge, and promoting vaccination may increase vaccination among healthcare personnel.
Copyright © 2017 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.