ACOG Issues Expanded Vaccine Recommendations for Pregnant People, Diverging from CDC Guidance
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released its first-ever independent maternal immunization schedule, recommending four routine vaccines during pregnancy — flu, COVID-19, Tdap, and RSV — in contrast to the CDC's current two-vaccine guidance. The CDC dropped its universal COVID-19 and flu recommendations for pregnant people in 2025 under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., prompting ACOG to withdraw from the CDC's advisory committee earlier this year. The move, endorsed by 13 medical societies, reflects a growing institutional rift between professional medical organizations and federal health authorities over evidence-based vaccine policy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced on Wednesday its 2026 Maternal Immunization Schedule, the first time the organization has issued vaccine guidance independent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The schedule recommends four routine vaccines during pregnancy — influenza, COVID-19, Tdap, and RSV — and is endorsed by 13 professional medical societies including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The CDC currently recommends only Tdap and RSV for pregnant people, having removed universal COVID-19 and flu recommendations in 2025 under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who fired the CDC's expert vaccine advisory panel and replaced it with members skeptical of vaccines. ACOG withdrew from that advisory committee earlier in 2026, citing concerns about compromised scientific integrity. ACOG's schedule aligns with the CDC on RSV — recommending it only in one pregnancy, between 32 and 36 weeks gestation, from September through January — but diverges by recommending flu and COVID-19 shots in any trimester, preferably in autumn. Additional vaccines for pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B are recommended for those with certain risk factors, and the schedule also covers postpartum and breastfeeding periods. ACOG officials cited rising vaccine hesitancy and misinformation as key drivers for issuing the independent guidance, noting that prenatal care's frequent appointments offer a unique opportunity to build patient trust in vaccination.
What's missing
No source details the specific clinical evidence or studies ACOG reviewed in formulating its recommendations, nor do any sources address what enforcement or insurance-coverage implications, if any, the independent schedule may have for patients and providers operating outside CDC guidance.
How coverage differed
Most outlets reported the story in neutral, factual terms, but Ars Technica and Politico used notably more adversarial framing — Ars Technica described Kennedy's influence as 'meddling' and Politico characterized the development as doctors declaring 'war' with RFK Jr. — while AP, STAT News, The Hill, and UPI used more measured language focused on the policy divergence itself.
What different sources said
- STAT NewsCenter
STAT+: Updated: Tracking RFK Jr.’s promises to remake health in America
- PoliticoLeft
America’s doctors just voted for war with RFK Jr.
- The HillCenter
Leading OB-GYN group issues vaccine recommendations, breaks with CDC
- Ars TechnicaCenter
OB-GYNs release their own vaccine schedule, rejecting RFK Jr.'s meddling
- Scientific AmericanCenter
Obstetricians oppose CDC to recommend more shots for moms
- CIDRAPCenter
Leading OB-GYN society breaks from CDC on recommended vaccines for pregnant women, including COVID-19
- UPICenter
OB-GYN group breaks with CDC, issues maternal vaccine schedule
- AP NewsCenter
OB-GYN group makes vaccine recommendations for the first time
- The Seattle TimesCenter
OB-GYN group makes vaccine recommendations for the first time
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