Let me start by saying, I am not a specialist. The impact of the COVID vaccine for breastfeeding mothers is not totally clear at this time as we continue to wait for more studies to be published.
But I am a nursing mother who works in the healthcare field by trade, often treats COVID patients, and feels bogged down by this polarizing topic. What an impossibly hard choice to make for oneself and family!
Today I will not disclose my vaccination status as it is not relevant. I simply strive to make a pros & cons list from the quality resources I find online, listing points for both sides. You can decide for yourself what you think is ther right choice for your family.
I do not plan to describe what the current recommendations are from our governing bodies. Instead, I am using published studies from research databases to develop the lists you will see below.
Mommas, this is a hard, hard decision that we have to make for ourselves. If you choose to get the vaccine, I understand. If you choose not to get the vaccine, I understand.
I think the majority of what we all see is shared on social media and may or may not be stemming from a valid resource. I will promote this post on social media as well, but I have my references listed at the bottom of the page and within the text that you can link to as well.
So, let’s get into it! Keep reading to learn about the risks and benefits of the COVID vaccine for breastfeeding mothers.
The Benefits of the COVID Vaccine for Mothers
- Your baby may receive antibodies through your breastmilk to help protect them against the virus.
- Pregnant women may have more severe illness if they contract COVID, therefore the vaccine may help reduce the severity of symptoms if a pregnant woman does contract the virus
- Cross-sectional survey of lactating women identifies that mothers report minimal impact on breastfeeding after receiving the vaccine
- mRNA vaccines, in general, are shown to create a more robust immunity in pregnant and lactating women compared to the other type of vaccine with a documented “transfer of protective immunoglobulins to neonates via placenta and breastmilk.”
- Presence of antibodies have been identified in breast milk up to 3-4 weeks after the mother has received the vaccine
- “The immune response to the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is strongest 7 ± 3 days after the second dose of the vaccine. Lactating mothers breastfeeding their children after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 may transfer antibodies to their infant.“
- Healthcare workers are overrepresented by females which places us at a higher risk of contracting the vaccine. The vaccine may help mitigate more severe symptoms
- Pregnant women may have more severe illness if they contract COVID, therefore the vaccine may help reduce the severity of symptoms if a pregnant woman does contract the virus
- mRNA vaccines, in general, are shown to create a more robust immunity in pregnant and lactating women compared to the other type of vaccine with a documented “transfer of protective immunoglobulins to neonates via placenta and breastmilk.”
The Risks of the COVID-19 Vaccine for Mothers
- Long-term effects and risks to mother and baby are still unknown at this time. Risks cannot be minimized.
- There remains a “lack of empirical evidence” for this high-risk population (pregnant and lactating mothers) due to this vulnerable population being excluded from phase 3 clinical trials during clinical testing.
- The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been associated with 2 types of risks. The first is called Guillain-Barré syndrome which is an autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. The second risk is a condition that causes blood clots and other disorders, primarily documented in women under the age of 50. Of all the cases reported, the patients affected were women.
- “Pregnancy, hormone therapy, or birth control pills are pre-existing risk factors for thrombosis. Therefore, it is advisable to counsel women younger than 50 years old about the increased risk of thrombosis with the Janssen vaccine.”
- Lactating women report adverse symptoms most often occurring after the second dose of the vaccine including “fatigue, headache, muscle pain, injection site pain, chills, fever, or allergic reactions.”
- mRNA vaccines can trigger myocarditis, anaphylaxis, or Bell’s palsy (Pfizer and Moderna vaccines), though reports of these reactions are rare
- The most frequently reported adverse event for pregnant people according to this study is spontaneous abortion (46)
- Other adverse events reported include preterm birth (9.4%) and small size (3.2%)
- There is no evidence that breastmilk is a source of COVID-19 infection
In Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, good for you! It’s messy and convoluted and hard to distinguish what is right for you and your family. I get it. I’m in the trenches with you.
According to a study just published in July 2021 titled, “COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnant and Lactating Women: A Review of Existing Evidence and Practice Guidelines,” there are currently 93 clinical trials on humans underway right now as well as 77 on animals. As mentioned before, we still need more studies to be published to really understand the impact of the COVID vaccine for breastfeeding mothers.
If you choose to get vaccinated, and you are pregnant or nursing, I found that it is often recommended that you receive an mRNA-type of vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) compared to the vector-style (J&J).
In general, vaccines are often recommended for pregnant or lactating women IF the benefits of receiving the vaccine outweigh the risks. This means, on an individual and VERY person level, you and your family must do your research and decide for yourself, based on your health, if the vaccine is right for you or not. It is a choice, it must continue to be choice.
Shared decision-making with your doctor or other members of your healthcare team may help you make a decision you are comfortable with, whether you choose to get it or not.
Top 3 reasons why women do not choose to get the vaccine are (1) they were pregnant and unwilling to expose their developing baby to adverse side effects (2) concern for vaccine being rushed to the public for political reasons and (3) preference to see more clinical data demonstrating that the vaccines were safe for them prenatally and postnatally
Whether you have the vaccine or not, it is still recommended that you continue to take precautions to protest yourself against contracting the virus. Personal hygiene continues to be critical to reducing transmission. As many of people have attempted to resume normalcy to their lives, it’s important to continue to be diligent about helping prevent the continued transmission of this virus.
References Supporting Pros of Vaccine
COVID-19, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients
Maternal and Child Symptoms Following COVID-19 Vaccination Among Breastfeeding Mothers
Immune Response to Vaccination against COVID-19 in Breastfeeding Health Workers
References Supporting Risks of Vaccine
COVID-19, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients
Vaccine: An Ethics-Based Framework for Shared Decision-Making
Thanks for putting facts from both sides.
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