Pregnancy offers a unique opportunity to protect a newborn, as the immunity a mother builds can be passed on to the baby, helping to keep them safe during their vulnerable early months of life. This can be achieved through vaccinations during pregnancy, which have been shown to protect both mothers and their babies from potentially dangerous infections.
Pregnancy naturally weakens the immune system, making expectant mothers more susceptible to infections like the flu and COVID-19. This is why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant individuals receive flu, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis), COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccines. These vaccines are crucial, as they not only protect the mother but also provide the baby with the antibodies needed to fight infections in their first few months of life.
However, recent vaccination rates among pregnant individuals have declined. According to a 2024 CDC survey, 47.7% of pregnant people had a flu vaccine, 30.9% had an updated COVID vaccine, and 59.6% had the Tdap vaccine. These numbers are considered suboptimal, with experts advocating for nearly universal vaccination to protect both mothers and their babies.
When a pregnant person gets vaccinated, the antibodies generated travel through the placenta and reach the fetus. These antibodies can also be transferred to the infant through breast milk. Importantly, the vaccines recommended during pregnancy do not contain live virus, so they trigger an immune response without causing an actual infection in the mother. This prepares the baby’s immune system to fight off infections after birth. For example, COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization for infants under 6 months by 52%, while maternal flu vaccination is 91.5% effective in preventing infant hospitalization for the flu in their first six months.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is another major concern for pediatricians. This contagious bacterial infection can cause severe breathing problems in infants, who cannot receive the vaccine until they are at least 8 weeks old. Maternal Tdap vaccination is essential for protecting infants against whooping cough during the first two months of life. This vaccine can prevent 9 in 10 infants from being hospitalized due to pertussis.
As for RSV, a virus that can lead to severe respiratory illness in infants, new treatments have emerged. Pregnant individuals can either receive the RSV vaccine or their babies can receive the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus), which protects infants from RSV for at least five months. A clinical trial has shown that this antibody treatment reduces RSV-related medical care and hospitalizations by 76%.
Despite these advancements, many parents remain unvaccinated or hesitant about immunization. In particular, vaccine rates are lower among Black and Latino populations, as well as among uninsured pregnant individuals. Additionally, there has been an increase in vaccine skepticism, with flu vaccine hesitancy rising from 17% to 25% and Tdap vaccine hesitancy growing from 15% to 20% between 2023 and 2024.
The rise in vaccine hesitancy is concerning, especially as more misinformation about vaccines spreads online. Experts suggest that the best way to address hesitancy is to engage in open, informative conversations. Providers can improve vaccination rates by strongly recommending vaccines, explaining their importance, and making them easily accessible.
For those like Carolyn Figurelle, who faced a terrifying experience with her infant’s health, sharing personal stories can help raise awareness. Figurelle, who has since received the RSV vaccine during her second pregnancy, actively speaks out on social media to encourage others to protect their babies by getting vaccinated.
Ultimately, ensuring that all pregnant individuals are vaccinated is a crucial step in protecting the health of both mothers and their newborns.
