Administration of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Article

Administration of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine to Parents of High-Risk Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Article Example The feasibility study was conducted to measure the role vaccination in the parents in controlling the infection of pertussis on the susceptible infants. This type of epidemiological study was applied because vaccination of the parents and adults, who are in constant contact with the infants is still not considered as one of the essential means of controlling the spread the pertussis in the infants. Identification of measures of prevention of the transmission of Bordetella Pertussis to young infants was the key factor of the study. The study was designed to explore whether the vaccination of parents was also one of the contributing factors in the increasing incidence of pertussis amongst infants. Bordetella Pertussis has become one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the infants. It is assumed that the parents may also be the most important carrier of Pertussis virus and the result of the study would encourage vaccination of parents and adults as a major preventive measure to control the spread of pertussis amongst the vulnerable infants. The article highlights the probable sources of infections and focuses on vaccination of parents so the infants can be safeguarded against the dreaded disease. The study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Stony Brook University Medical Center, New York from July 1, 2007 to October 30, 2007. During the period, 358 infants with gestational age ranging from 23 weeks to 42 weeks were admitted into NICU and 495 of 592 eligible parents were offered vaccination. 430 parents agreed to participate in the program. The nursing and other staff was adequately prepared to disseminate information regarding risks and benefits of the immunization e program. The vaccination was carried out as per the guidelines of the TdaP vaccine of Sanofi Pasteur, France. Consent forms with pertinent information like parents age, infants age, apgar score, race, discharge date, vaccine lot