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Vaccination in pregnancy to protect the newborn

Victoria Male1, Christine E Jones2,3

  • 1Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK. v.male@imperial.ac.uk.

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|April 24, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Maternal vaccination during pregnancy offers a vital strategy to protect newborns from infectious diseases. This approach complements direct infant immunization, enhancing neonatal immunity against serious infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Newborns are highly susceptible to infectious diseases, necessitating effective protection strategies.
  • Developing vaccines that are safe and effective for newborns presents significant challenges.
  • Maternal antibodies transferred across the placenta offer passive immunity, highlighting the potential of maternal vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current vaccines administered during pregnancy and to newborns.
  • To discuss vaccines in development for protecting neonates.
  • To identify challenges in vaccine delivery and uptake for maternal and infant immunization programs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing vaccines for pregnant women and newborns.
  • Analysis of approved and emerging vaccines targeting neonatal infections.
  • Discussion of challenges in vaccine implementation and accessibility.

Main Results:

  • Limited vaccines are currently licensed for direct neonatal administration (Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis).
  • Maternal vaccination (e.g., tetanus, pertussis, influenza, COVID-19) provides indirect protection to newborns.
  • New vaccines for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) are emerging for antenatal administration.

Conclusions:

  • Vaccination during pregnancy is a successful strategy for protecting newborns against infectious diseases.
  • Ongoing research and development are expanding the portfolio of vaccines for maternal and neonatal use.
  • Addressing challenges in vaccine delivery and uptake is crucial for maximizing public health benefits.

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