Key facts
- The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has released its own vaccine recommendations for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women.
- This new schedule diverges from current U.S. government advice, notably concerning the COVID-19 vaccine.
- ACOG cited the need to combat vaccine misinformation and provide clear, evidence-based guidance.
- The recommendations include flu, COVID-19, Tdap, and RSV vaccines during pregnancy.
- The group's decision to issue its own schedule follows its withdrawal from a CDC advisory committee.
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued its own set of vaccine recommendations for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, marking a divergence from the current guidance provided by the U.S. government. This move comes after ACOG withdrew from a CDC advisory committee earlier this year due to changes in vaccine recommendations made under the Trump administration and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Christopher Zahn, ACOG's chief of clinical practice, stated that the organization decided to formally release its own immunization schedule to offer clear, evidence-based guidance and to counter the increasing circulation of vaccine misinformation. The new schedule aligns with previous CDC recommendations before the recent policy shifts.
The ACOG recommendations include routine immunizations during pregnancy such as the flu vaccine (any trimester), the COVID-19 shot (any trimester, preferably as soon as possible), the Tdap vaccine (between 27 and 36 weeks), and an RSV vaccine (between 32 and 36 weeks). Additional vaccines may be recommended based on individual risk factors, and some are advised before pregnancy or after birth.
The schedule has garnered support from 13 other professional and medical societies, and follows similar actions by groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics, which have also released differing vaccine schedules this year. Health care providers report significant vaccine hesitancy among patients, with misinformation often spread through social media, making ACOG's clear guidance particularly relevant.