The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued its first formal immunization schedule specifically for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, aiming to provide clear, evidence-based guidance amidst circulating misinformation.
New Guidance Released
The recommendations, announced on a Wednesday, align with previous guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before changes were made under the Trump administration. ACOG had previously withdrawn from a CDC advisory committee due to these changes, which have faced legal challenges.
“So now for the first time, ACOG has made the decision to formally release its own immunization schedule to provide and communicate clear evidence-based guidance and to address the growing vaccine misinformation that is circulating,” said Dr. Christopher Zahn, ACOG’s chief of clinical practice. The new schedule has received endorsement from 13 other professional and medical societies.
Routine Pregnancy Vaccinations
ACOG routinely recommends four immunizations during pregnancy. These include the flu vaccine, which can be administered in any trimester at any time of year, though early fall is considered optimal. The COVID-19 shot is also recommended for any trimester, ideally as soon as possible during pregnancy.
A tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) shot is preferably given between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. Additionally, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is recommended between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy for first-time pregnancies, typically from September through January in most U.S. regions. If the maternal RSV vaccine was received in a prior pregnancy, it is not needed again, but the infant should receive an antibody shot after birth. Alternatively, the baby can receive this shot instead of the mother receiving the maternal vaccine.
Other vaccines, such as pneumococcal, meningococcal, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B, may be necessary for women with specific risk factors, and ACOG advises consultation with a doctor for these. Three additional vaccines are recommended before pregnancy or after birth: those protecting against human papillomavirus, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and chickenpox.
Divergence from CDC
The primary divergence between ACOG’s new schedule and current CDC advice centers on the COVID-19 vaccine. In May, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines were no longer recommended for healthy pregnant women and children, a decision that public health experts immediately questioned.
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Healthcare providers report significant vaccine hesitancy in the country. Carol Hayes of the American College of Nurse Midwives noted that patients often state they have conducted their own research, which frequently leads them to scientifically unsupported information. Sarah Vaillancourt of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health echoed these observations, attributing some of the confusion to social media. Both emphasized the value of ACOG’s efforts to provide accurate information in this environment.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
