Is Hepatitis B Vaccine safe while breastfeeding?

Summary of use during breastfeeding

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended along with hepatitis B immune globulin to be given by injection to infants of mothers who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. No differences exist in infection rates between breastfed and formula-fed infants born to hepatitis B-infected women, as long as the infant receives these preventative measures at birth.[1] Breastfeeding improves the infant’s response to hepatitis B immunization.[2] Mothers with hepatitis B are encouraged to breastfeed their infants after their infants receive these preventative measures.[3,4] Breastfeeding also appears to reduce infant side effects associated with routine childhood immunization. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[5]

Effects on the breastfed infant

Breastfeeding can enhance the response of the infant to certain vaccine antigens.[2,5-7] Breastfed infants are also less likely to have fever and may be less likely to experience anorexia and reduced energy intake after routine childhood immunization than those who are not breastfed.[8,9]

Breastfed infants of hepatitis B surface antigen positive mothers have a different response in the development of immunoglobulin subtypes after vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine than do formula-fed infants.[10] However, breastfeeding does not interfere with the infant's antibody response to hepatitis B vaccine.[11]

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.