On Jun. 1, 2018, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a committee opinion on maternal immunization.

Influenza vaccination for pregnant women is especially important because pregnant women who contract influenza are at greater risk of maternal morbidity and mortality in addition to fetal morbidity, including congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

Other vaccines provide maternal protection from severe morbidity related to specific pathogens such as pneumococcus, meningococcus, and hepatitis for at-risk pregnant women. Obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers should routinely assess their pregnant patients’ vaccination status.

Based on this assessment they should recommend and, when possible, administer needed vaccines to their pregnant patients.