Reminder: Tdap Vaccine Coverage for CHIP Perinatal Members

This reminder is to ensure that all providers are knowledgeable on which vaccines are covered for CHIP Perinatal (CHIP-P) members. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is routine prenatal care and is covered in CHIP-P. As noted in the ACOG committee opinion: “The overwhelming majority of morbidity and mortality attributable to pertussis infection occurs in infants who are 3 months and younger. Infants do not begin their own vaccine series against pertussis until approximately 2 months of age. This leaves a window of significant vulnerability for newborns, many of whom contract serious pertussis infections from family members and caregivers, especially their mothers, or older siblings, or both.”  The Tdap vaccine is for the direct benefit of the perinate and it therefore, a covered benefit for CHIP-P members. Resources:

• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/get-vaccinated.html
• AAP: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-TDAP-Recommendations.aspx
• ACOG: https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Update-on-Immunization-and-Pregnancy-Tetanus-Diphtheria-and-Pertussis-Vaccination