Physician Attitudes and Preferences About Combined Tdap Vaccines for Adolescents

This national survey indicates moderate willingness, stronger among pediatricians than among family physicians, to support recommendations for Tdap among adolescents. In February 2006, CDC released recommendations that adolescents aged 11 to 18 (preferred age 11 to 12) receive a single dose of Tdap in place of Td if they have not already received the latter. Near-term efforts regarding Tdap recommendations must address providers' concerns about infrequent routine visits for adolescents and convince more physicians of the importance of pertussis booster immunization during adolescence.