A new law requiring pertussis disease education in hospitals, passed by the general assembly and signed by Gov. McCrory in June, 2013, became effective October 1,
2013. This new law requires that all licensed hospitals in North
Carolina provide free, medically accurate educational information about
pertussis disease and the availability of tetanus-diphtheria and pertussis
(Tdap) vaccine to parents of newborns delivered in
the hospital. This information must be provided during the post-partum
period (defined as from admission for delivery through the first few hours
after childbirth) and prior to the mother’s discharge. At a minimum, the educational information provided must cover the most current CDC
ACIP recommendations regarding the use of Tdap vaccine to reduce the burden
of pertussis in infants. This law does not require hospitals to
provide or pay for any vaccination against pertussis disease.
The CDC has excellent
resources regarding Pertussis and pregnancy:
There is also
information available via the March of Dimes Sounds of Pertussis
Campaign: http://www.soundsofpertussis.com
and the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist:
