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Vaccines
Special Issues
Vaccination in Pregnancy and Early Life: Evidence, Challenges, and Innovations
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Vaccination in Pregnancy and Early Life: Evidence, Challenges, and Innovations

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 2989

Editor

Dr. Fani Ladomenou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
2. Department of Pediatrics, University General Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
Interests: maternal immunization; infant vaccination; pediatric; infectious diseases; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vaccination in pregnancy and early life represents one of the most impactful strategies for safeguarding maternal, neonatal, and infant health. Despite substantial progress in immunization science, significant challenges remain in optimizing vaccine uptake, addressing safety concerns, and ensuring equitable access across diverse populations. This Special Issue aims to bring together high‑quality research and expert perspectives that advance our understanding of immunization during pregnancy and the first years of life.

We welcome contributions that explore the immunological basis and clinical benefits of maternal and early‑life vaccination, real‑world evidence on vaccine effectiveness and safety, and innovative approaches to improving vaccine delivery and acceptance. In particular, studies examining barriers to vaccination, determinants of parental decision‑making, and strategies to counter misinformation are encouraged. In addition, we invite research on emerging vaccines, implementation science, health‑system challenges, and policy frameworks that shape vaccination programs globally.

By integrating evidence from epidemiology, clinical practice, behavioral science, and public health, this Special Issue seeks to highlight current knowledge gaps and inspire novel solutions. We aim to support a comprehensive and forward‑looking dialogue that will ultimately strengthen immunization practices and improve health outcomes for mothers, infants, and young children worldwide.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Fani Ladomenou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • maternal immunization
  • infant vaccination
  • early‑life immunity
  • vaccine safety and effectiveness
  • vaccine hesitancy
  • perinatal health
  • immunization policy
  • public health interventions
  • implementation science

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

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23 pages, 530 KB  
Review
Determinants of Maternal RSV Vaccination Uptake: A Narrative Review
by Aikaterini I. Nikolaou, Alexandra Soldatou, Georgia-Christiana Grantzi, Vasileios Giapros and Fani Ladomenou
Vaccines 2026, 14(4), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14040293 - 26 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1601
Abstract
Maternal vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a major advance in early-life infection prevention. Although clinical efficacy and early real-world effectiveness are well established, sustained population-level impact depends on equitable uptake. This review synthesizes determinants influencing maternal RSV vaccination within the evolving [...] Read more.
Maternal vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a major advance in early-life infection prevention. Although clinical efficacy and early real-world effectiveness are well established, sustained population-level impact depends on equitable uptake. This review synthesizes determinants influencing maternal RSV vaccination within the evolving dual-strategy landscape that includes both maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody prophylaxis. A structured narrative review was conducted following PRISMA principles. PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between January 2022 and February 2026. Eligible studies examined behavioral, interpersonal, structural, economic, and policy determinants of maternal RSV vaccination uptake, as well as early implementation and modelling evidence. Findings were integrated within a multilevel analytical framework. Maternal uptake is shaped by interacting determinants across individual, healthcare provider, and health system domains. Key drivers include perceived infant disease severity, vaccine safety confidence, perceived effectiveness, and prior antenatal vaccination behavior. Healthcare provider recommendation consistently emerges as the strongest facilitator. Coverage variability reflects differences in reimbursement, antenatal care integration, and national policy endorsement. The coexistence of maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody strategies introduces additional comparative decision-making complexity. Early implementation data indicate heterogeneous uptake and socioeconomic gradients, while modelling demonstrates sensitivity to coverage, timing, epidemiology, and cost. Translating biological efficacy into sustained public health benefit requires coordinated behavioral, structural, and policy strategies, strong provider engagement, and context-sensitive implementation frameworks to ensure equitable coverage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination in Pregnancy and Early Life: Evidence, Challenges, and Innovations)
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25 pages, 531 KB  
Systematic Review
Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Vaccination Rates and Vaccination Determinants
by Panagiota Georgia Maltezou, Maria Eleni Papakonstantinou, Eleni Kourkouni, Dimitra Kousi, Christos Hadjichristodoulou, Despoina Briana and Vasiliki Papaevangelou
Vaccines 2026, 14(4), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14040325 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1019
Abstract
Background: Pertussis and influenza immunization during pregnancy protects both mother and infant through transplacental transfer of antibodies. However, global vaccination coverage among pregnant women remains suboptimal. Aim: This systematic review aimed to assess influenza and pertussis vaccination coverage during pregnancy and [...] Read more.
Background: Pertussis and influenza immunization during pregnancy protects both mother and infant through transplacental transfer of antibodies. However, global vaccination coverage among pregnant women remains suboptimal. Aim: This systematic review aimed to assess influenza and pertussis vaccination coverage during pregnancy and identify determinants influencing vaccine uptake. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and grey literature was conducted for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Studies reporting actual vaccination rates for influenza and/or pertussis among pregnant women were included, while those assessing only willingness were excluded. Studies on H1N1 pandemic vaccination in pregnant women were excluded to avoid bias, as awareness levels during the pandemic differed from routine influenza vaccination. Determinants of vaccine acceptance were recorded. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Of 3251 identified records, 78 studies on influenza (N1 = 287,124 participants) and 51 on pertussis (N2 = 172,801) met inclusion criteria after removing overlapping populations. Most influenza studies (55/78) reported vaccination coverage below 50%. A key determinant of influenza vaccination uptake was physician recommendation, while maternal attitudes, parity, and previous influenza vaccination also had a significant impact. For pertussis, vaccination coverage was primarily driven by physician recommendation, with parity and maternal perceptions of vaccine safety and effectiveness further influencing uptake. Regarding quality assessment, 52.5% of influenza studies and 37.5% of pertussis studies scored above 6 on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Conclusions: Maternal vaccination coverage for influenza and pertussis remains inadequate worldwide and is shaped by national strategies, healthcare provider practices, and maternal perceptions. Addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving awareness are essential to increase uptake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination in Pregnancy and Early Life: Evidence, Challenges, and Innovations)
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