CDC Reports on Respiratory Virus Activity
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring elevated respiratory virus activity during the 2024–2025 season, according to its latest surveillance report. The trends have implications for prenatal and perinatal care, highlighting the importance of vaccination and infection control for pregnant patients.
- For the 2024-2025 season, the CDC recommends pregnant people receive the updated COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) also recommends the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy. - To protect infants from severe RSV, the CDC recommends a single dose of the Pfizer Abrysvo vaccine for pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation, administered seasonally from September through January. - During the 2024-2025 season, infants under 11 months old have experienced the highest rates of hospitalization associated with RSV compared to all other age groups. - Respiratory virus infections during pregnancy are associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. - The peak for positive influenza tests in the 2024-2025 season occurred in early February 2025, while RSV activity peaked in late December 2024. - Maternal immunization against influenza and RSV is a key strategy to protect infants, as antibodies are passed to the baby, providing protection before they are old enough to be vaccinated. - Research indicates that respiratory viruses can be transmitted from mother to fetus, which is associated with inflammation in the newborn and can affect birth weight and postnatal growth. - The Maternal Immunization Task Force, which includes the American College of Nurse-Midwives, has issued a call to action emphasizing the importance of recommended vaccinations during pregnancy.
