Certain recommendations for maternal vaccines revised by ACOG

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) announced the publication of the most recent recommendations for vaccinating pregnant mothers against certain respiratory viruses.

Three guidance documents have been published for COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. Key recommendations: 

• ACOG suggests that mothers boost their COVID-19 vaccine “at any point during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or when lactating.” The document highlights data supporting the vaccine for pregnant people and outlines its benefits, like minimizing complications from pregnancy “such as severe maternal morbidity, preterm birth, and stillbirth.” The guideline also points out that the vaccine also protects infants once born.
• The organization “strongly recommends that all individuals who are or will be pregnant during influenza season receive an inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine as soon as it is available, during any trimester of pregnancy.” ACOG notes that contracting the virus is dangerous for pregnant mothers and babies. Additionally, the document points out that the new at-home nasal vaccine “is not approved for use in pregnant individuals, but that it could be used for postpartum patients.”
• For RSV, ACOG endorses the bivalent RSV PreF vaccine. They highlight the importance of shielding infants after they are born.