Summary of COVID-19 Vaccine
Use During Lactation
Several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are being
developed; however, none have been studied during breastfeeding. The first two
vaccines to become available in the US are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. They
are not live vaccines and are not be expected to be appreciably excreted into
breastmilk or absorbed by the infant. No non-live vaccines have ever been
reported to cause infant adverse effects via breastfeeding. Professional
organizations have recommended that these COVID-19 vaccines be offered to
those who are breastfeeding because the potential benefits of maternal
vaccination during lactation outweigh any theoretical risks. Given the current
absence of direct evidence of vaccine safety during breastfeeding, clinicians are
encouraged to undertake shared decision making with their patients, based on
local community risk and the patient’s risk factors.
Theoretical concerns regarding the safety of vaccinating lactating individuals do
not outweigh the potential benefits of receiving the vaccine. There is no need to
avoid initiation or discontinue breastfeeding in patients who receive a COVID-19
vaccine (ABM 2020)
Resources:
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Revision 1/18/2021
ACOG Clinical (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Updated
12/21/2020