OB-GYN Group Releases New Vaccine Guidelines for Pregnant Women

An OB-GYN group has issued new vaccine recommendations for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, differing from U.S. government advice. These guidelines harken back to prior recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before modifications by the Trump administration and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Earlier, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) exited a CDC advisory committee on vaccines due to these changes. This led to legal disputes. Dr. Christopher Zahn, ACOG’s chief of clinical practice, emphasized the need for clear, evidence-based guidance and the importance of combating vaccine misinformation.

This article belongs to AP’s Be Well section, which focuses on wellness, fitness, diet, and mental health.

The new immunization schedule is backed by 13 other professional and medical organizations. Similar initiatives, like those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, have emerged this year.

OB-GYN Group’s Vaccine Recommendations

The OB-GYN group endorses these vaccines during pregnancy:

• Flu Vaccine: Available in any trimester, any time of year. Best taken in early fall.
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Safe in any trimester, any time. Advised to be taken as soon as possible during pregnancy.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine: Recommended early between 27 and 36 weeks.
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine: Suggested between 32 and 36 weeks during the first pregnancy, especially from September to January. If received in a previous pregnancy, not needed again; the baby should receive an antibody shot after birth. Alternatively, the newborn can receive this shot instead of the maternal vaccine.

For women with specific risk factors, other vaccines like pneumococcal, meningococcal, and hepatitis A and B may be needed. Consultation with a doctor is recommended.

Three other vaccines are advised before pregnancy or after birth. These protect against human papillomavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.

Differences from CDC Advice

The main divergence centers on the COVID-19 vaccine. Last May, Kennedy declared COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended for healthy pregnant women and children. This provoked immediate questions from public health experts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not commented on this matter.

Pushback on Vaccine Recommendations

Healthcare providers report encountering resistance to vaccines. Carol Hayes of the American College of Nurse Midwives observes prevalent vaccine hesitancy. Many patients claim to have done their own research, often referring to non-scientific sources.

Sarah Vaillancourt from the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health mentioned similar findings. Social media plays a role in spreading confusion.

In such conditions, having authoritative information from the OB-GYN group is seen as beneficial for patients.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, though AP retains full editorial control.