Is BCG Vaccine safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what LactMed, the Drugs and Lactation Database published by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reports about BCG Vaccine. The text below is quoted from that source — it is not our own verdict.
Summary of use during breastfeeding
In general, vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the BCG vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1,2] An exception is to avoid BCG vaccine in the first 6 months in infants whose mothers received an anti-TNF immunosuppressant during pregnancy.[3,4] Bladder installation of BCG vaccine is acceptable, but pre-treatment BCG vaccination of the infant may be advisable.
Effects on the breastfed infant
In one study, breastfeeding improved the cellular immune response to BCG vaccine if the vaccine was given at birth. However, if the vaccine was given at 1 month of age, breastfeeding had no effect.[5]
A nursing mother presented with bladder carcinoma 2 months postpartum. After deciding to treat her with intravesicular BCG vaccine, her infant was given the BCG vaccine subcutaneously 2 weeks before the mother’s first treatment. The mother continued to breastfeed her infant throughout 6 courses of induction therapy and the initial 3 weekly maintenance treatments. The infant had no reported adverse effects, such as systemic dissemination of BCG.[6]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
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.
Source: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “BCG Vaccine” (LM24). LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.