Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD, highlights clinician role in pregnancy vaccine confidence

In a recent discussion with Contemporary OB/GYN, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD, Annenberg Public Policy Center director, highlighted the potential long-term public health consequences of declining support for vaccination during pregnancy.

While scientific evidence strongly supports the safety and benefits of maternal immunization for both mothers and infants, new data suggest that the broader public, including individuals of childbearing age, remains uncertain or hesitant about recommending vaccines in pregnancy. Jamieson emphasized that this hesitancy may stem not from opposition but from a lack of knowledge about vaccine safety and the diseases these immunizations prevent. Increasing public understanding of the protective role of vaccines during pregnancy, she noted, is essential for improving both maternal and infant outcomes.

Exploring the roots of vaccine skepticism, Jamieson described how the cautionary culture surrounding pregnancy contributes to uncertainty. Pregnant individuals are advised to avoid numerous potential risks to protect both their own health and that of their baby. Within this precautionary environment, new medical interventions such as vaccines can trigger additional concern about safety. This natural caution, Jamieson explained, becomes amplified when misinformation circulates, particularly around newer vaccines such as those for COVID-19.

Conflicting messages, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) withdrawing its formal recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy, add another layer of confusion. Even though the CDC continues to endorse other maternal vaccines, such as those for influenza, Tdap, and RSV, the absence of clear COVID-19 guidance can easily be interpreted by patients as a sign of risk, further reinforcing hesitancy.

Jamieson stressed that health care providers remain the most trusted source of information for pregnant patients, far surpassing public agencies or media. Research on public trust consistently shows that when clinicians recommend vaccination and take time to address patients’ specific concerns, acceptance rates rise significantly. She underscored that clinicians’ willingness to engage empathetically and communicate the scientific evidence about vaccine safety and benefits can directly influence maternal and infant health outcomes.

Ultimately, Jamieson concluded, clinicians play a critical role in reversing declining vaccination trends. By making informed, compassionate recommendations, they can counter misinformation, strengthen public confidence, and help prevent serious and sometimes fatal infections in mothers and their newborns.

No relevant disclosures.

Reference

Under half in US would recommend some routine vaccinations during pregnancy. Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. September 30, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1100243.