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Using COVID-19 vaccines and breastfeeding

Published Last updated See all updates
Topics: COVID-19 vaccineSafety in BreastfeedingVaccinating

Information for using COVID-19 vaccinations in breastfeeding women

Contents
  1. Vaccination and breastfeeding
  2. Recommendations
  3. Infant monitoring
  4. Patient information
  5. Contact us
  6. Update history

Vaccination and breastfeeding

Women may receive COVID-19 vaccines and continue to breastfeed.

Recommendations

As there is no known risk associated with giving non-live vaccines during breastfeeding the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that breastfeeding women may be offered vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA—formerly known as PHE) Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (the Green Book) confirms that emerging safety data is reassuring and protective antibodies have been detected in breast milk.

Advice regarding COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting should be taken into consideration regarding vaccine selection, but does not alter the general advice that breastfeeding can continue after vaccination.

Infant monitoring

As with any medication exposure during breastfeeding, infants should be monitored. If the infant is not feeding as well as usual, or if there are any other concerns, a healthcare professional should be contacted.

Patient information

Patient information is available from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) .

Contact us

Get in touch with the UK Drugs In Lactation Advisory Service (UKDILAS), our specialist breastfeeding medicines advice service if you need support in the following situations:

  • you need further advice
  • the medicine in question is not included here
  • the infant is unwell or premature
  • multiple medicines are being taken

Update history

  1. Reviewed. No change to clinical content required. Headings added.
  1. Editorial changes and updated links
  1. Updated advice as per Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (the Green Book) re emerging safety data.
  1. Resources checked and information remains correct.
  2. Increased specificity for the link to: Public Health England’s Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (The Green book).
  1. Information added regarding the Moderna vaccine
  2. Information added regarding vaccination and blood clotting
  3. General monitoring advice added.
  4. Removed advice to consider finish breastfeeding before vaccination as per Public Health England Update.
  1. Published