A major obstetrics and gynecology organization issued its own vaccination guidelines Wednesday, creating recommendations that contradict current federal health guidance.
The vaccination schedule targets pregnant women, new mothers, and those who are breastfeeding. These recommendations mirror previous guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prior to modifications implemented during the Trump administration under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists left a CDC vaccine advisory panel earlier this year following these policy shifts, which have resulted in court 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, the OB-GYN group’s chief of clinical practice.
Thirteen additional professional and medical organizations have backed the new guidelines. Other groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have also issued vaccination schedules this year that diverge from CDC recommendations.
The organization recommends four vaccinations during pregnancy:
— Influenza vaccination, available during any trimester throughout the year, though early fall timing is preferred.
— COVID-19 vaccination, which can be administered during any trimester year-round, with earliest possible timing during pregnancy being optimal.
— Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, ideally given as early as possible within the 27 to 36-week window.
— Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination, administered between 32 and 36 weeks during first pregnancies, typically from September through January across most U.S. regions. Women who received RSV vaccination in previous pregnancies don’t need repeat doses, though their newborns should receive antibody shots after delivery. Babies can receive this shot as an alternative to maternal vaccination.
Additional vaccines for pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B may be necessary for women with specific risk factors. The organization advises discussing these options with healthcare providers.
Three additional vaccines are suggested either before conception or following delivery, providing protection against human papillomavirus; measles, mumps and rubella; and chickenpox.
The most significant departure from federal guidance concerns COVID-19 vaccination.
Kennedy declared last May that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy pregnant women and children — a decision that drew immediate criticism from multiple public health professionals.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment.
Healthcare professionals addressed vaccination concerns during the guideline announcement event.
“Vaccine hesitancy is huge in this country right now,” said Carol Hayes of the American College of Nurse Midwives. “Patients come in all the time saying I’ve done my own research, and sadly, they’re doing research and they’re getting information that is not scientifically based.”
Sarah Vaillancourt of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health reported similar experiences among her organization’s membership. Social media platforms are contributing to the confusion, she noted.
Given this environment, she described the OB-GYN group’s effort to deliver reliable information to patients as “really useful.”
