|
This message is being shared by the Health Care Authority (HCA) on behalf of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
The 2025-2026 respiratory illness season is underway, and this season will likely be severe due to a new form of the flu virus called H3N2 subclade K, which is dominating influenza samples in other countries. During the last respiratory season, the United States experienced the highest severity flu season in over 10 years, with 280 pediatric deaths, one of the deadliest years since records began in 2004.
Now is a great time to remind your pregnant patients about the risks of respiratory illnesses and prevention measures they can take. Pregnant individuals or their babies who are infected with a respiratory illness such as COVID-19, flu, pertussis, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are at high risk for severe complications.
Immunization
Immunization rates are low for respiratory diseases, leaving many pregnant people and their babies unprotected against these serious diseases.
As a trusted provider, your recommendation is essential and pregnant people who are offered vaccines at the time of their visit are more likely to get vaccinated than those who are not. The Tdap, RSV, flu, and COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant patients and can be coadministered. If you are not a vaccine provider, assist your patients in locating one to ensure they are protected.
Vaccine recommendations during pregnancy
Each vaccine recommended during pregnancy is important for the protection of the patient and their baby. Below is a summary of these vaccines:
-
Influenza vaccine: Influenza (flu) is more likely to cause hospitalizations and deaths among pregnant people and can be harmful to their developing baby. All pregnant people should get vaccinated during each pregnancy and in any trimester of pregnancy.
-
COVID-19 vaccine: Pregnant people are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine provides protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death for pregnant people and their infant. All pregnant people should get vaccinated during any trimester of pregnancy.
-
Tdap vaccine: Pertussis (whooping cough) continues to be high in Washington State, with infants at highest risk of severe illness. All pregnant people should get vaccinated during each pregnancy between 27 through 36 weeks gestation.
-
RSV vaccine: RSV is the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants in the US. The goal of vaccination is to protect babies from getting very sick with RSV. All pregnant individuals should get the RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, between 32 through 36 weeks gestation during September through January. Currently, only one dose of RSV vaccine during pregnancy is recommended.
Safety data for respiratory vaccines continue to be reassuring. The benefits of vaccinating against these potentially devastating diseases far outweigh the risks. Safety monitoring is ongoing through multiple monitoring systems.
Thank you for your continued efforts to fight vaccine-preventable diseases and protect your patients who are especially vulnerable.
|
