Key facts
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued its first official maternal vaccination schedule.
- ACOG's schedule recommends influenza, Covid, Tdap, and RSV vaccines for all pregnant individuals.
- The group's recommendations diverge from those of the federal government.
- ACOG cited concerns about the scientific integrity of vaccine policy under the current administration.
- The schedule aims to provide clear, evidence-based guidance and combat vaccine misinformation.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released its first official maternal vaccination schedule, marking a departure from federal recommendations. This initiative comes as the organization expresses concerns over the scientific integrity of vaccine policy under the current administration, particularly regarding the stance on maternal and child vaccinations.
ACOG's new schedule recommends four key vaccines for all pregnant individuals: influenza, COVID-19, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Additional vaccines, such as hepatitis B and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), may be recommended for those with specific comorbidities or risks.
This move by ACOG follows a period of significant shifts in federal vaccine guidance. The Trump administration, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine critic, had previously dropped recommendations for flu and COVID-19 shots for pregnant individuals. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the CDC, had its focus on maternal vaccines halted by a judicial order.
Physicians involved with ACOG emphasized that their recommendations are evidence-based. Laura Riley, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an ACOG member, stated that the evidence supports ACOG's recommendations, contrasting it with what she described as unsupported federal guidance. She highlighted that COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy continue to show clear benefits in preventing serious outcomes like hospitalization and preterm birth.
Several prominent medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), have endorsed ACOG's schedule. Leaders from these organizations stressed the critical importance of maternal immunizations for protecting infants, especially in their first few months of life before they can develop their own immunity. They also noted the challenge of combating vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, particularly amplified by social media.
Concerns about declining vaccination rates for preventable diseases were also raised. While Tdap and RSV vaccination rates among pregnant people are around 70%, rates for flu and COVID-19 are significantly lower. ACOG withdrew from the ACIP in early 2026 due to perceived erosion of the committee's scientific integrity and evidence-based approach.