New York health departments endorse 2026 maternal immunization schedule

The New York City Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health have announced their support for the 2026 maternal immunization schedule released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Health officials are encouraging healthcare providers to integrate these recommendations into routine care for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals.

The 2026 ACOG schedule, which is the first of its kind issued independently by the organization, recommends routine influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy. It also includes recommendations for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines to protect infants during their first months of life, as well as specific vaccinations for pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis A and B for those at higher risk.

This endorsement comes as ACOG has maintained its clinical guidance based on scientific evidence, even when certain recommendations differ from recent federal policy shifts. New York health officials emphasized that these guidelines aim to empower providers and communities to proactively prevent diseases and protect both mothers and infants during vulnerable periods.