By Karen Crowley DNP, APRN-BC, WHNP, ANP, CNE 
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) 

(NAPSI)—Pregnancy is more than preparing for delivery; it’s also the first opportunity to protect your baby’s health. Maternal vaccines—including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, Tdap, and COVID-19—not only help protect you from severe disease, but also help your body create immunity for your baby. This early protection is especially important in your newborn’s first months of life, when they are most vulnerable. 

The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)—along with every other major nursing organization and medical society recommends FDA-approved vaccines during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of communicable respiratory illness for pregnant women and their babies. 

Here’s important information about each of them:  

  • Flu: The flu vaccine can be administered at any stage of pregnancy and helps reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and pneumonia. High fevers in pregnancy also raise the risk of complications such as preterm birth, making vaccination an important safeguard for both mother and baby.  
  • RSV: The RSV vaccine is recommended in the third trimester (weeks 32-36) of pregnancy during RSV season in most regions of the US. It protects newborns from RSV—the leading cause of hospitalization in infants under age one—and offers protection against serious cases and complications.   
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): The Tdap vaccine is recommended between weeks 27 through 36 of pregnancy and helps shield newborns from whooping cough, a disease that can be life-threatening in the first months of life.  
  • COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy. It protects you from severe illness and lowers the risk of complications, such as preterm birth, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss. COVID-19 vaccination also passes protective antibodies to your baby, offering early immunity. AWHONN supports and encourages pregnant women to discuss vaccination with their providers. Leading medical groups, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, continue to recommend maternal COVID-19 vaccination. 

Nearly all maternal vaccines are covered at no cost through most insurance plans, including employer-sponsored and Medicaid plans. Vaccines are available during routine prenatal visits with your prenatal care team, including your neonatal nurse, obstetrician-gynecologist, or midwife. Your local pharmacy will likely also carry maternal vaccines. To help things go smoothly, talk with your prenatal care team about which vaccines you need and the appropriate timing for each; confirm your insurance coverage, especially if you plan to use a pharmacy. Most plans fully cover maternal vaccines, but it’s worth verifying in advance. Your provider can offer referrals and help with insurance questions. If challenges arise, advocate for yourself and engage with your prenatal care team for support.  

By making vaccines part of your prenatal care, you’re not only protecting yourself—you’re helping to protect your baby before they’re even born. Maternal vaccines are one of the simplest ways to give your child the healthiest start possible. Visit www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vaccine-safety-during-pregnancy to learn more.