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Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(5):316-318

Inconsistent recommendations regarding Tdap vaccination. Two articles in the October 15, 2013, issue contained incorrect and inconsistent recommendations regarding the administration of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination in pregnant women. The article “Recommendations for Preconception Counseling and Care” (p. 499) contained an error in the second column (Recommendations) of the second to last row (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) of Table 2 (p. 501). The statement should have indicated that the optimal timing for Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is 27 to 36 weeks' gestation, rather than 27 to 30 weeks' gestation. The article “Pertussis: A Reemerging Infection” (p. 507) contained an error in the fourth paragraph under the “Vaccine Recommendations” header (p. 512). The second sentence in this paragraph should have indicated that the preferred timing of Tdap vaccination administration in pregnant women is at 27 to 36 weeks' gestation, rather than in the third or late second trimester. Therefore, the sentence should have read: “Women should receive a single dose of Tdap during each pregnancy, preferably at 27 to 36 weeks' gestation.”

Additionally, in the article “Pertussis: A Reemerging Infection,” the last recommendation in the SORT table (p. 508), the second sentence in the third paragraph under the “Vaccine Recommendations” header (p. 512), and the fifth row in Table 4 (p. 512) all contained incorrect information regarding Tdap vaccination in persons 65 years and older. The fifth row in Table 4 contained incorrect information regarding Tdap vaccination in persons 19 to 64 years of age. The last recommendation in the SORT should be omitted, and instead, the sixth recommendation should have read: “The Tdap vaccine should be administered to adolescents and adults, including those 65 years and older, in place of a single Td booster when such a booster is due.” In Table 4, the recommendation for Tdap in persons 19 to 64 years and in persons 65 years and older should have read: “Single dose in place of a Td booster.” The second sentence in the third paragraph under the “Vaccine Recommendations” header should have read: “In addition, adults 65 years and older should receive Tdap.” The next sentence should be omitted. The online versions of these articles have been corrected.

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