What vaccines should be avoided while breastfeeding?

Vaccines to Avoid While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often have questions about the safety of vaccines, both for themselves and their infants. While many vaccines are safe and even recommended during breastfeeding, there are specific vaccines that should be avoided due to potential risks.
Smallpox and Yellow Fever Vaccines
The smallpox vaccine is one of the primary vaccines that breastfeeding mothers should avoid. This is due to the theoretical risk of contact transmission from mother to infant. The live virus used in the smallpox vaccine can potentially be transmitted through skin contact, which poses a risk to the breastfeeding infant.
Similarly, the yellow fever vaccine is also contraindicated for breastfeeding women unless travel to areas where the disease is endemic is unavoidable. The CDC advises against this vaccine during breastfeeding due to concerns about the live attenuated virus and its potential effects on the infant.
Live Attenuated Vaccines
In general, live attenuated vaccines, such as those for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), are typically avoided during pregnancy and should be approached with caution during breastfeeding. While the risk of transmission through breast milk is considered low, the theoretical risk of viral replication in the mother could affect the infant.
Consultation with Healthcare Providers
It is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to consult with healthcare providers regarding vaccinations. While many vaccines are safe and can even provide protective antibodies to the infant through breast milk, the exceptions noted above highlight the importance of personalized medical advice.
In summary, while most vaccines are safe during breastfeeding, mothers should avoid the smallpox and yellow fever vaccines, as well as live attenuated vaccines like MMR, unless specifically advised otherwise by a healthcare professional. This ensures the health and safety of both mother and child during this critical period.

What vaccines are not safe 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.

Is it OK to get vaccinations while breastfeeding?

It’s safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are breastfeeding. You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccines and cannot pass it to your baby through your breast milk.

When should you not get a Tdap vaccine?

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine: Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of any vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis, or has any severe, life-threatening allergies.

Are immunity shots safe while breastfeeding?

Vaccines while breastfeeding
Parents who are breastfeeding can receive any vaccines they need during this time, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Although some live viral vaccines may replicate and cause viruses to be excreted in breast milk, the viruses are weakened sufficiently that they will not harm the baby.

Is it safe to breastfeed after a flu shot?

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.

Which vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy?

The vaccines you shouldn’t get while pregnant include: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

Is it safe to get the MMR vaccine while breastfeeding?

It is safe for breastfeeding women to receive MMR vaccination. Breastfeeding does not interfere with the response to MMR vaccine, and the baby will not be affected by the vaccine through breast milk.

Are the following vaccines safe to use during pregnancy and lactation?

Generally, all vaccines except live vaccines can be safely administered to pregnant women. Live vaccines, on the other hand, are administered very selectively when there is imminent and substantial risk of increased morbidity and mortality. Good examples are vaccines for attenuated oral polio and yellow fever.

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 you get Tdap while breastfeeding?

I’m breastfeeding my baby. Is it safe for me to get the Tdap vaccine? Yes.