The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on Wednesday unveiled a maternal vaccine schedule that marks a clear departure from federal guidance, recommending four vaccines for all pregnant individuals—a move that underscores growing friction between medical experts and the Trump administration's health leadership.
ACOG's new schedule recommends routine administration of the influenza vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine, the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) shot, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine during pregnancy. This stands in contrast to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) current recommendations, which were overhauled under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic.
The CDC, following Kennedy's lead, no longer recommends routine COVID-19 or seasonal flu shots for healthy pregnant individuals. ACOG's decision to issue its own guidance reflects a broader pushback from medical societies against what they see as politically motivated changes to public health policy. The new schedule is endorsed by 13 organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
“Changing national recommendations coupled with rampant vaccine misinformation are resulting in confusion for both patients and health care professionals,” said ACOG President Camille Clare in a statement. “It is incredibly important for the public to have access to reliable, evidence-based information on maternal immunizations from a trusted source.”
The divergence between ACOG and the CDC mirrors a broader trend: numerous states and medical groups have chosen to issue their own vaccine guidance, effectively bypassing federal recommendations they view as compromised. This comes amid ongoing political battles over vaccine mandates and public health messaging, with critics arguing that the current administration is undermining decades of scientific consensus.
ACOG's schedule specifies that the Tdap vaccine should be given once per pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation, regardless of season. For RSV, the group recommends the vaccine seasonally during the first eligible pregnancy, between 32 and 36 weeks, and only once. For subsequent pregnancies, infants should receive a monoclonal antibody after birth. Pfizer's Abrysvo is the only approved RSV vaccine for use during pregnancy.
On influenza and COVID-19, ACOG recommends vaccination in the fall, though it notes that shots can be administered at any point during the year if needed. The group also provides additional recommendations for women with specific risk factors and for postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
The rift between ACOG and the CDC is part of a larger pattern of tension between public health experts and the Trump administration, which has also seen probes into vaccine-related policies and debates over abortion drug safety. As new polls show Americans growing pessimistic about economic stability, the politicization of health guidance adds another layer of uncertainty for expectant mothers navigating conflicting advice.
ACOG's move is likely to amplify calls for consistent, evidence-based maternal health policies, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary amid declining confidence in American institutions. A recent poll found that just 44% of Americans consider the U.S. a top nation, signaling a broader crisis of trust that extends to public health authorities.
