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Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-.
Drug Levels and Effects
Summary of Use during Lactation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants.[1-5] A slightly higher percentage of infants who were breastfed during or after maternal vaccination with the active quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil) had pneumonia during the 30 days after maternal vaccination, but these effects were not thought to be vaccine related. No similar data exist for the bivalent vaccine (Cervarix). Maternal vaccination with human papillomavirus vaccine is not a contraindication to breastfeeding.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
A total of 995 nursing mothers were given Gardasil or placebo during the vaccination period of the clinical trials (vaccine n = 500, control n = 495). A total of 17 (3.4%) and nine (1.8%) infants of women who breastfed who received quadrivalent HPV vaccine or placebo, respectively, experienced a serious adverse event. Of the 23 experiences among the 17 infants of women who received vaccine, 12 were respiratory infections, five were gastroenteritis or diarrhea, and the remaining included various other single events. None of the reactions was considered vaccine related.[6,7]
Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
References
- 1.
- Ezeanolue E, Harriman K, Hunter P, et al. Best Practices Guidance of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). https://www
.cdc.gov/vaccines /hcp/acip-recs /general-recs/index.html Accessed June 5, 2020. - 2.
- Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, et al. Red Book: 2018 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 31st ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018.
- 3.
- Gruslin A, Steben M, Halperin S, et al. Immunization in pregnancy: No. 220, December 2008. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009;105:187–91. [PubMed: 19367691]
- 4.
- Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF. Prevention of Herpes zoster: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1–30. [PubMed: 18528318]
- 5.
- Committee opinion no. 467: human papillomavirus vaccination. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116:800–3. [PubMed: 20733476]
- 6.
- Markowitz LE, Dunne EF, Saraiya M, et al. Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2007;56(RR-2):1–24. [PubMed: 17380109]
- 7.
- Garland SM, Ault KA, Gall SA, et al. Pregnancy and infant outcomes in the clinical trials of a human papillomavirus type 6/11/16/18 vaccine: a combined analysis of five randomized controlled trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114:1179–88. [PubMed: 19935017]
Substance Identification
Substance Name
Human Papillomavirus Vaccines
Drug Class
Breast Feeding
Lactation
Vaccines
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.