Respiratory illness season is here, making vaccination especially important for pregnant women and their babies. Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect the mother from severe illness and allows her to pass protective antibodies to her baby. These antibodies help protect the baby from birth through the first months of life, when infants are particularly vulnerable. Vaccination is one of the best tools available to protect pregnant women and their babies during respiratory illness season. 

CVEEP and Vaccinate Your Family co-hosted a discussion on the importance of vaccines for pregnant women, including flu, COVID-19, Tdap, and RSV, and what you need to know about maternal vaccination during respiratory season. Experts in maternal and public health discussed the latest recommendations and coverage considerations, vaccination timing during pregnancy, and the protection that maternal vaccination extends to babies.

Panelists included: 

• Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO, HealthyWomen 
• Naima T. Joseph, MD, MPH, Vice Chair of the Infectious Diseases and Emerging Threats Committee, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine 
• Ilan Shapiro, MD, MBA, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer, AltaMed 
• Marie Ramas, MD, FAAFP, Immediate Past Chair of the Commission on Health of the Public and Science, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) 
• Moderator: Serese Marotta, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Vaccinate Your Family

What to Know About Recommendations and Coverage for Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Children (Ages 6 Months–4 Years)

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*NOTE: COVID-19 and RSV vaccine recommendations have recently been updated for some populations. This resource will be updated to reflect the CDC’s latest guidance. Because CDC recommendations may impact insurance coverage, you should check with your insurance provider to make sure you’re covered.

What to Know About Recommendations and Coverage for Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Children, Teens, and Adults (Ages 5–64)

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*NOTE: COVID-19 and RSV vaccine recommendations have recently been updated for some populations. This resource will be updated to reflect the CDC’s latest guidance. Because CDC recommendations may impact insurance coverage, you should check with your insurance provider to make sure you’re covered.

Children living with chronic health conditions — such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and lung diseases like asthma — face a higher risk of serious complications from common infections like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumococcal disease. While these illnesses can be mild for some, they can lead to a hospital stay, long-term health impacts, or even life-threatening outcomes for children with ongoing health conditions. Understanding these risks can help guide timely vaccination to help keep children protected against severe illness.

CVEEP held a discussion exploring the critical role of vaccines in keeping children most at risk healthy. Pediatric health and vaccine experts shared why children with chronic health conditions are at increased risk for severe outcomes, provided an overview of vaccine recommendations for children, and offered best practices for providers, parents, and caregivers to protect these vulnerable populations.  

Panelists included:

• David Hill, MD, FAAP, Co-Host of “Pediatrics On Call” Podcast and Spokesperson, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 

• Patricia (Patsy) Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, Immediate Past-President, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

• Moderator: Serese Marotta, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Vaccinate Your Family