From Monday 17 August 2009, all maternity units in Sydney South West Area Health Service (SSWAHS) will be offering vaccination with dTpa (Boostrix) to all mothers during the postnatal stay in hospital.

The objective of this policy is to reduce the risk and incidence of pertussis in newborns. As you will see from the 2 attached documents, this has the support of NSW Health and NCIRS. A brochure outlining the role of this injection will be given to each mother.

As General Practitioners usually take on the overall responsibility for vaccination records for their patients, it would be helpful if you ensure that your pregnant women are aware of this initiative and the implications of the new program.

Also could you please check with your postnatal patients whether they have been given the vaccination and ensure that there is a record of the vaccination being given as well as answer any questions they may have.

Dr Andrew Child AM
Clinical Director, Women’s Health and Neonatology
12 August 2009

Ph:   9515 8416
Fax:  9565 1595
Executive Unit
RPA Women and Babies

• Pertussis fact sheet
• Pertussis vaccination flyer
• Pregnant women info dtpa