ACOG Maternal Immunization Guidance- Recent Update
Posted on:
August 29, 2025 | Doula, Doula Training
ACOG Maternal Immunization Guidance – Why This Matters for Doulas
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has just released updated maternal immunization guidance regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccines during pregnancy. For doulas, this information is important because clients bring you their questions, anxieties, and values-based concerns about vaccines. Being informed about the latest ACOG maternal immunization guidance prepares you to have meaningful conversations with your clients that enable them to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies.
What the Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance Says
ACOG’s new recommendations emphasize the safety and importance of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in pregnancy. They highlight:
- Maternal health benefits: Protection against severe illness during pregnancy.
- Fetal and newborn benefits: Passive antibody transfer that can help protect infants.
- Timing considerations: Vaccines may be given at any stage of pregnancy, though flu vaccines are seasonally timed.
The overall tone of the updated ACOG maternal immunization guidance is clear: vaccines are strongly recommended as part of comprehensive maternal care.
Where ACOG and the CDC Differ
While both ACOG and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly support vaccination during pregnancy, their emphasis on the subject differs.
- ACOG’s focus is on maternal and fetal outcomes within the context of pregnancy care. Their guidance is designed for obstetricians and midwives, emphasizing the dual benefit: keeping pregnant patients healthy and providing antibody protection for the newborn.
- The CDC’s focus is broader. Their maternal immunization recommendations are placed within a larger public health framework, centering on community protection, reducing hospitalizations, and preventing seasonal surges in illness.
For example, the CDC’s language often stresses population-level protection, while ACOG frames it more around individualized care between provider and patient. These differences can shape how information is presented to your clients depending on them hearing it from their OB/midwife (ACOG) or from public health channels (CDC).
Doulas Don’t Give Answers, They Ask Questions!
As doulas, we are not medical providers. Our role is to remain unbiased, supportive, and client-centered. We ask open-ended, thought-provoking questions that encourage clients to explore their choices and make their own decisions.
The following are some questions for you to consider asking when a client brings up this topic:
- “What information do you have about COVID and/or flu vaccines during pregnancy?”
- “What kinds of questions do you have about the updated ACOG maternal immunization guidance?”
- “Do you want to talk to your provider about this?”
- “Would it be helpful if we researched evidence-based resources together?”
- What is your intuition saying about this to you?
These questions enable people to reflect, research, and decide what feels right for them.
Why Unbiased Support Matters
Your client’s pregnancy decisions are deeply personal, and topics like vaccination (and so many others) can be emotionally charged and quite overwhelming. By being aware of ACOG maternal immunization guidance, doulas can normalize these discussions, validate concerns and affirm their clients decisions.
