Is the flu shot safe while breastfeeding?

Is the Flu Shot Safe While Breastfeeding?
As the flu season approaches, many breastfeeding mothers may wonder about the safety of receiving the flu vaccine. The good news is that the flu shot is considered safe for breastfeeding women and their infants aged six months and older. Health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strongly recommend that breastfeeding mothers get vaccinated against influenza to protect both themselves and their babies.
Benefits of Vaccination
When a breastfeeding mother receives the flu vaccine, her body produces antibodies that are transferred to her infant through breast milk. This transfer of antibodies provides important protection for the baby, helping to bolster their immune system against the flu virus. The CDC emphasizes that this vaccination not only safeguards the mother but also significantly reduces the risk of flu-related complications for the infant.
Recommendations and Considerations
The CDC advises that breastfeeding mothers should opt for the injectable flu vaccine rather than the nasal spray version. The nasal spray is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals due to safety concerns. Additionally, the general consensus among health professionals is that most vaccines, including the flu shot, can be safely administered right after childbirth, even while breastfeeding.
Continuing to Breastfeed During Illness
If a breastfeeding mother contracts the flu, she can continue to breastfeed her baby. In fact, breast milk is uniquely designed to provide the necessary antibodies that help infants fight infections. Mothers are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and wearing a mask, to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to their infants.
Conclusion
In summary, the flu shot is not only safe for breastfeeding mothers but also beneficial for their infants. By getting vaccinated, mothers can help protect their babies from the flu and its potentially serious complications. As always, it is advisable for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to discuss any concerns and to ensure they are making informed decisions regarding their health and that of their children.

What vaccines should be avoided while breastfeeding?

According to the ACIP’s General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization in Special Situations, except for smallpox and yellow fever vaccines, neither inactivated nor live-virus vaccines administered to a lactating woman affect the safety of breastfeeding for women or their infants.

Does the flu affect breast milk supply?

The flu can make even the toughest mom miserable, so self-care is important. Both illnesses and some medications can contribute to a decline in milk productivity, so mothers should keep a close eye on their production, drink plenty of water and get lots of rest.

Does a flu shot pass antibodies to a baby?

Flu vaccination during pregnancy also can protect babies for several months after birth against flu and flu-related hospitalizations because the pregnant parent passes antibodies on to the developing baby during pregnancy.

Can you be around a newborn after getting a flu shot?

Anyone who needs the whooping cough or flu vaccines should get them at least two weeks before meeting the baby because it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination.

How long after flu vaccine are antibodies in breast milk?

Human milk anti-influenza IgA levels in milk were maintained at a significantly higher level in those who received the influenza vaccine for at least 6 months after delivery compared to controls (52). In addition to IgA, anti-influenza IgM and IgG are also present in milk but at lower levels (53).

Does vaccine immunity go through breastmilk?

COVID-19 vaccine
There has been no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are harmful to either breastfeeding women who have received a vaccine or to their babies. Studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breast milk.

Can flu shot affect baby?

Review of reports to the Vaccine Adverse Reporting System (VAERS)12 found no evidence to suggest a link between pregnancy complications or adverse fetal outcomes among pregnant women and flu shots.

Can the flu dry up breast milk?

“Don’t worry about your breast milk supply – you will keep producing it. Just don’t stop breastfeeding abruptly as you’ll run the risk of getting mastitis,” Sarah adds. Good hygiene is important to minimize the risk of spreading the illness.

Should you breastfeed during vaccinations?

We found that breastfeeding before and during vaccination injections helped to reduce pain in most babies up to the age of one year. Needles are used for babies’ early childhood vaccinations and medical care during childhood illnesses. These are essential, but painful.

Does a flu shot affect breast milk supply?

Yes, either a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine should be given to breastfeeding mothers. There is no risk of harm to a baby if a mother receives a flu vaccination, only a health benefit! Preventing the flu in mothers can reduce the chance that the infant will be exposed to the flu and get it.