Vaccines can feel like one of the most overwhelming topics for expectant and new parents—especially when information online is conflicting, emotional, and constantly changing. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Deb sits down with Flor M. Muñoz to unpack what parents actually need to know about vaccination during pregnancy and infancy.
Together, they explore how maternal vaccines help protect newborns during those vulnerable first months of life, why infections like RSV, influenza, and pertussis can be especially dangerous for infants, and how vaccine recommendations are developed and monitored for safety. Dr. Muñoz also offers thoughtful guidance for families navigating fear, misinformation, and changing public conversations around pediatric vaccine guidance.
This conversation is warm, grounded, and deeply informative—designed to help parents feel empowered to ask questions, evaluate sources thoughtfully, and make decisions in partnership with trusted healthcare providers.
In This Episode We Discuss:
- Recommended vaccines during pregnancy and why they matter
- How maternal antibodies help protect newborns
- Vaccine safety research in pregnant populations
- RSV, influenza, pertussis, and newborn vulnerability
- Concerns about “too many vaccines”
- Common vaccine misconceptions and misinformation online
- How to evaluate trustworthy health information
- Navigating evolving pediatric vaccine guidance
- Ways to help protect newborns if parents decline vaccines during pregnancy
**Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
About Dr. Muñoz:
Flor M. Muñoz is an associate professor of pediatrics, infectious diseases, molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. She is a physician-scientist whose work focuses on vaccine safety and efficacy in pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised populations, as well as the prevention and treatment of respiratory illnesses including RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and pertussis. Dr. Muñoz serves on numerous national and international vaccine and infectious disease committees dedicated to improving the health of women and children worldwide.
Resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics: https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP-Immunization-Schedule.pdf
Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
- Newborn and Childhood Vaccinations with Dr. Ana-Maria Temple – A Revisit
- Newborn Procedures Explained with Dr. Tracey Agnese
- The Pediatrician-Parent Relationship and the Impact of Information Overload with Dr. Wendy Hunter, MD
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
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