Breastfeeding and vaccination

Giving vaccines during breastfeeding

Guidance states (1):

General Recommendations

• is no risk to breastfed infants after administration of inactivated vaccines
• live, attenuated vaccines are also not considered to pose a risk to the infant except yellow fever vaccine
  • yellow fever vaccine
    • administration of the yellow fever vaccine should generally be avoided during breastfeeding
      • have been a few case reports of yellow fever encephalitis in infants due to breast milk transmission of the virus from the vaccine
      • note that the vaccine may still be indicated in certain circumstances, for example in the case of an outbreak. If yellow fever vaccine is being considered during breastfeeding, contact specialist service for advice, the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service
• although vaccines are compatible with breastfeeding, their use should be limited to those situations where there is a clinical risk of maternal exposure to the infecting organism - includes risks due to domestic, occupational and travel exposure

Childhood immunisations

• infant should receive all vaccines used in childhood immunisation programmes even if the mother receives the vaccine separately
• is limited evidence which shows that infants who were breastfed produced better antibody responses to some childhood immunisations compared to those who were formula fed

Infant monitoring

• side effects in the breastfed infant from exposure to a vaccine through breast milk are highly unlikely. As a precaution, monitor the infant for any unusual signs and symptoms.

For full details then see Giving vaccines during breastfeeding

Reference:

• NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (October 2023). Giving vaccines during breastfeeding