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

Making the Most of Your Healthcare Appointment

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RSV Vaccination for Pregnant Women

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Infectious Respiratory Disease Immunization Timeline: Vaccine Considerations During Pregnancy

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The Benefits of Immunization for High-Risk Populations

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For pregnant people, maternal vaccines are critical to prenatal care and help protect infants during their first few months of life when newborns are vulnerable to infectious respiratory diseases. As we approach the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season, four vaccines are available to help protect infants, including newly available prevention options. Yet, despite the important role of vaccines during pregnancy, rates of maternal vaccine uptake remain suboptimal.

To further this discussion, Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) hosted a conversation on current maternal vaccine guidance, including the maternal RSV vaccine, and potential solutions to address barriers that can impact access to recommended vaccines. The discussion featured provider perspectives across the healthcare continuum and addressed what individuals and organizations can do to help promote maternal vaccination.

Panelists included:

• Pragna Patel, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Haywood Brown, MD, Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs, Morsani College of Medicine and Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of South Florida; Former President, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Association of Immunization Managers (AIM)
• Allison Hill, PharmD, RPh, Director, Practice Implementation & Professional Affairs, American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
• Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen and CVEEP Convener (moderator)