Prenatal Maternal Immunization for Infant Protection: A Review of the Vaccines Recommended, Infant Immunity and Future Research Directions

Abstract

Prenatal maternal immunization is an effective tool to protect mothers and infants from poor health outcomes due to infectious diseases. We provide an overview of the rationale for the use of prenatal vaccines, discuss the immunologic environment of the maternal–fetal interface including the impact of maternal vaccines prenatally and subsequently on the infant’s immune response, and review vaccines currently recommended in pregnancy and landscape for the future of maternal vaccination. This review aims to provide an understanding of the recent history and progress made in the field and highlight the importance of continued research and development into new vaccines for pregnant populations.

Keywords

• maternal immunization
• maternal child health
• pediatric infectious diseases
• pregnancy
• immunology