Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination During Pregnancy: Immunoglobulin G Response and Importance of Second Dose

Background & Objective: Tetanus toxoid vaccination is a recommended preventive measure during pregnancy; however, coverage remains low in several developing countries, including Indonesia. No studies have specifically examined the effect of tetanus vaccine doses on Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in Indonesian pregnant women. Therefore, the present study was conducted with aim to determine tetanus-specific IgG antibody levels in this population.Materials & Methods: This analytical descriptive study with a case-control design was conducted at Sitti Khadijah 1 Women's and Children's Hospital in Makassar, Indonesia. Pregnant women were divided into two groups based on whether they had or neither received tetanus-diphtheria vaccinations during pregnancy. Serum levels of tetanus-specific IgG antibodies were measured using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 27.0). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 112 pregnant women were enrolled. A significant association was found between tetanus toxoid vaccination and IgG levels, with vaccinated women exhibiting higher IgG concentrations (P<0.001). Furthermore, women who received two vaccine doses had significantly higher IgG levels compared to those receiving only one dose (P=0.003). Age, body mass index, gravidity, and educational level did not significantly influence IgG levels (P>0.05).Conclusion: Two doses of tetanus toxoid vaccination during pregnancy significantly increase IgG antibody levels in pregnant women. These findings reinforce the importance of expanding tetanus immunization coverage among pregnant women, particularly in Indonesia, to include the second dose through effective health policies and programs.