Is Human Papillomavirus Vaccines 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 Human Papillomavirus Vaccines. 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.[1-4] 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.
Effects on the breastfed infant
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 were considered to be vaccine related.[5,6]
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 “Human Papillomavirus Vaccines” (LM800). 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.