Factors influencing women's decisions regarding pertussis vaccine: A decision-making study in the Postpartum Pertussis Immunization Program of a teaching hospital in Taiwan.

We conducted surveys to determine factors influencing women's decisions to accept or decline postpartum pertussis (Tdap) vaccination. Survey response rate among eligible individuals was 97%. Of respondents, 53% accepted and 47% declined postpartum Tdap. Women, who declined vaccination were more likely to rate maternal or infant risk of exposure to pertussis as low, report that they did not trust information about postpartum pertussis vaccination, and report being very concerned about the safety of the vaccine. Awareness about pertussis, its risk to infants, and prevention via vaccination need to be further increased among women of child-bearing age, particularly pregnant women. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.