Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CBIC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Tdap vaccine is recommended for pregnant healthcare workers because it provides critical protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Pregnant women are advised to receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation, to ensure that the mother develops antibodies that can be transferred to the fetus. This transfer helps to protect the newborn from whooping cough during the first few months of life, a time when infants are particularly vulnerable to serious illness.

In contrast, the HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy as it has not been studied extensively in pregnant women. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is also typically advised to be administered prior to pregnancy, as the live attenuated virus in the vaccine poses a risk to the developing fetus. The LAIV flu vaccine, which contains live attenuated influenza viruses, is contraindicated in pregnancy, as pregnant women are advised to receive the inactivated flu vaccine to ensure safety. Hence, Tdap stands out as the appropriate choice for immunizing pregnant healthcare workers.