CDC Recommendations (2025)

According to the CDC, pregnant women should receive the following vaccines during pregnancy:

1. Whooping Cough (Tdap)
– Recommended during the 27th through 36th week of each pregnancy
– Preferably during the earlier part of this time period
– Helps protect newborns who are too young to be vaccinated
– About 7 in 10 deaths from whooping cough are among babies younger than 2 months old

2. Flu (Influenza)
– Recommended yearly, preferably by the end of October
– Pregnant women are more likely to have severe illness from flu due to changes in immune, heart, and lung functions
– Protects both mother and baby for several months after birth

3. COVID-19
– Recommended for all pregnant women prior to May 2025; CDC changed to not recommended for all pregnant people May 27, 2025.
– Pregnant women are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women
– Provides protection for both mother and baby

4. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
– Recommended during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy during September to January
– Alternative: baby can receive RSV immunization during their first RSV season if aged 8 months or younger

Other Vaccines That May Be Recommended

– Hepatitis B: Recommended for women who test positive for hepatitis B to prevent transmission to the baby during delivery
– Hepatitis A: May be recommended for pregnant women with a history of chronic liver disease
– Travel Vaccines: May be recommended for pregnant women planning international travel (consult healthcare provider 4-6 weeks before travel)

Vaccines Before Pregnancy

– MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella): Should be given at least one month before becoming pregnant
– Women should confirm immunity to rubella through a blood test before pregnancy
– Important to keep accurate vaccination records and share with healthcare providers

Vaccines After Pregnancy

– Postpartum vaccination helps protect mothers from illness and passes antibodies to babies through breastmilk
– Especially important if certain vaccines were not received before or during pregnancy
– Takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protective antibodies

Source
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), updated June 24, 2024
– https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-pregnancy/recommended-vaccines/index.html

-https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2836638#

-https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2025/05/acog-statement-on-hhs-recommendations-regarding-the-covid-vaccine-during-pregnancy