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Review
. 2025 Apr 15;231(4):830-836.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae509.

Maternal Immunization

Hye-Kyung Cho  1 , Collrane Frivold  2   3 , Helen Y Chu  2
Affiliations
Review

Maternal Immunization

Hye-Kyung Cho et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Pregnant individuals and infants are at risk from vaccine-preventable diseases like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza. Maternal vaccination during pregnancy can protect both the mother and child. Recent progress in developing these vaccines is notable, but vaccine hesitancy and the exclusion of pregnant individuals from clinical trials limit their use. Maternal immunization safeguards mothers from severe illness and adverse pregnancy outcomes while providing infants with antibodies through the placenta and breast milk. Inactivated vaccines are generally effective and safe during pregnancy. Limited safety and efficacy data due to exclusion from trials hinder vaccine uptake; however, vaccines like tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 have proven effective, and are recommended vaccines during pregnancy. New vaccines for group B Streptococcus (GBS) and cytomegalovirus are in development, with the GBS vaccine being the most advanced. Combating vaccine hesitancy through strong health care provider recommendations is vital to enhance uptake and protect pregnant individuals and their infants.

Keywords: immunization; infants; pregnancy; safety; vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. H. K. C. has received honoraria for giving lectures from SK Biologics, Sanofi, and Daewon Pharmaceutical; these honoraria were provided as compensation for her participation in educational activities and do not influence the content of this manuscript. H. Y. C. has consulted for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Ellume; has served on advisory boards for Vir, Merck, and Abbvie; has received research funding from Gates Ventures outside of the submitted work; and has received support and reagents from Ellume and Cepheid, outside of the submitted work. C. F. reports no conflicts of interest. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed. All other authors report no potential conflicts.

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