Maternal Vaccination and Vaccine Hesitancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Vaccinology

Background:

• The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) provides guidelines for essential vaccinations during pregnancy.
• Maternal vaccination is crucial for protecting pregnant individuals and their infants from infectious diseases.
• Specific vaccines recommended include influenza, Tdap, and COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline current recommendations for key vaccines during pregnancy.
• To emphasize the safety and efficacy of recommended vaccines.
• To suggest strategies for improving vaccination uptake in obstetric settings.

Main Methods:

• Review of ACOG recommendations for maternal immunization.
• Summary of evidence on vaccine safety and efficacy in pregnancy.
• Discussion of practical methods to increase vaccination rates in obstetric practices.

Main Results:

• Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended annually and for unvaccinated/booster-eligible individuals, respectively.
• Tdap vaccine is recommended with each pregnancy to confer passive immunity to newborns against pertussis.
• Both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are demonstrated to be safe and effective in reducing maternal and infant morbidity.

Conclusions:

• Annual influenza, Tdap per pregnancy, and appropriate COVID-19 vaccination are vital for maternal and infant health.
• Vaccine administration within the obstetric office and patient counseling focusing on infant protection are effective strategies.
• Enhancing vaccination rates protects vulnerable populations and reduces disease burden.