Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges

Maternal immunization is a key strategy for protecting pregnant individuals and newborns from infectious diseases. This review examines the mechanisms and benefits of maternal immunization, with a focus on transplacental IgG transfer and immune system interactions. We provide an overview of current...

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Main Authors: Veronica Santilli, Mayla Sgrulletti, Giorgio Costagliola, Alessandra Beni, Maria Felicia Mastrototaro, Davide Montin, Caterina Rizzo, Baldassarre Martire, Michele Miraglia del Giudice, Viviana Moschese
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/450
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author Veronica Santilli
Mayla Sgrulletti
Giorgio Costagliola
Alessandra Beni
Maria Felicia Mastrototaro
Davide Montin
Caterina Rizzo
Baldassarre Martire
Michele Miraglia del Giudice
Viviana Moschese
author_facet Veronica Santilli
Mayla Sgrulletti
Giorgio Costagliola
Alessandra Beni
Maria Felicia Mastrototaro
Davide Montin
Caterina Rizzo
Baldassarre Martire
Michele Miraglia del Giudice
Viviana Moschese
author_sort Veronica Santilli
collection DOAJ
description Maternal immunization is a key strategy for protecting pregnant individuals and newborns from infectious diseases. This review examines the mechanisms and benefits of maternal immunization, with a focus on transplacental IgG transfer and immune system interactions. We provide an overview of current recommendations and the safety and efficacy profiles of maternal vaccines, including influenza, tetanus–diphtheria–acellular pertussis (Tdap), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and hepatitis B. Additionally, we analyze the barriers to maternal immunization, such as misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and disparities in healthcare access, while exploring potential strategies to overcome these challenges through targeted educational initiatives, improved provider communication, and policy-driven interventions aimed at increasing vaccine confidence and accessibility. Finally, this review highlights recent innovations and future directions in maternal immunization, including emerging vaccines for Group B Streptococcus and cytomegalovirus. Expanding immunization programs and advancing research on maternal–fetal immunity are essential to optimizing vaccination strategies, improving public health outcomes, and reducing the global burden of infectious diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-66ef161d31b24607af94ca03acdbae132025-08-20T01:56:42ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-04-0113545010.3390/vaccines13050450Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and ChallengesVeronica Santilli0Mayla Sgrulletti1Giorgio Costagliola2Alessandra Beni3Maria Felicia Mastrototaro4Davide Montin5Caterina Rizzo6Baldassarre Martire7Michele Miraglia del Giudice8Viviana Moschese9Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, ItalyPediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, ItalySection of Pediatric Hematologyand Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyPediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Maternal-Infant Department, “Monsignor A.R. Dimiccoli” Hospital, 70051 Barletta, ItalyDivision of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, “Regina Margherita” Children Hospital, 10126 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, ItalyPediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Maternal-Infant Department, “Monsignor A.R. Dimiccoli” Hospital, 70051 Barletta, ItalyDepartment of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, ItalyPediatric Immunopathology and Allergology Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, ItalyMaternal immunization is a key strategy for protecting pregnant individuals and newborns from infectious diseases. This review examines the mechanisms and benefits of maternal immunization, with a focus on transplacental IgG transfer and immune system interactions. We provide an overview of current recommendations and the safety and efficacy profiles of maternal vaccines, including influenza, tetanus–diphtheria–acellular pertussis (Tdap), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and hepatitis B. Additionally, we analyze the barriers to maternal immunization, such as misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and disparities in healthcare access, while exploring potential strategies to overcome these challenges through targeted educational initiatives, improved provider communication, and policy-driven interventions aimed at increasing vaccine confidence and accessibility. Finally, this review highlights recent innovations and future directions in maternal immunization, including emerging vaccines for Group B Streptococcus and cytomegalovirus. Expanding immunization programs and advancing research on maternal–fetal immunity are essential to optimizing vaccination strategies, improving public health outcomes, and reducing the global burden of infectious diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/450immunizationmaternalinfluenzapertussishepatitis BCOVID-19
spellingShingle Veronica Santilli
Mayla Sgrulletti
Giorgio Costagliola
Alessandra Beni
Maria Felicia Mastrototaro
Davide Montin
Caterina Rizzo
Baldassarre Martire
Michele Miraglia del Giudice
Viviana Moschese
Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges
Vaccines
immunization
maternal
influenza
pertussis
hepatitis B
COVID-19
title Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges
title_full Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges
title_fullStr Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges
title_full_unstemmed Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges
title_short Maternal Immunization: Current Evidence, Progress, and Challenges
title_sort maternal immunization current evidence progress and challenges
topic immunization
maternal
influenza
pertussis
hepatitis B
COVID-19
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/450
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