Guiding principles for development of ACIP recommendations for vaccination during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides advice and guidance regarding effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases, including guidance for special populations that might warrant modification of routine recommendations. One such special population is pregnant and breastfeeding women. Formulation of recommendations for vaccination of pregnant and breastfeeding women is challenging because the available scientific evidence needed to guide decisions is limited. To promote use of a consistent process and uniform terminology, the ACIP Workgroup on Vaccines during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding was established in 2007 to develop guiding principles for drafting of ACIP recommendations for vaccination of pregnant and breastfeeding women. Workgroup members included ACIP members, members of professional medical organizations, experts in the field, and CDC consultants.