The effectiveness of an online module for midwives conducting antenatal pertussis vaccinations.

Background: An online education programme was developed to support midwives and maternity staff to implement the New South Wales antenatal pertussis vaccination programme from March 2015. Aims: To determine if an educational programme met the needs of midwives and maternity staff to conduct an immunisation appointment confidently with a pregnant woman. Methods: Pre- and post-surveys were conducted with learners completing the programme. Findings: Before completing the programme, 57% of respondents reported feeling ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ in conducting a vaccination encounter with a pregnant woman. This increased to 94.1% after completion of the programme. Conclusion: The education programme met the needs of midwives and maternity staff in New South Wales. An informed and confident maternity workforce will increase vaccine uptake in pregnant women and ensure that pertussis vaccination is incorporated consistently into routine antenatal care, to protect vulnerable infants from life-threatening diseases such as pertussis and influenza. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]