Is Pneumococcal Vaccines safe while breastfeeding?

Summary of use during breastfeeding

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other expert opinion state that 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 pneumococcal vaccine.[1-3] Immunization of the mother during the third trimester of pregnancy markedly increases the amount of pneumococcal antibodies in breastmilk.[4] Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1]

Effects on the breastfed infant

Limited data indicate that breastfeeding can enhance the response of the infant to certain vaccine antigens.[1,6] Infants breastfed for longer than 90 days have a better antibody response to some pneumococcal strains in the vaccine at 13 months of age than those breastfed less than 90 days.[7] Some evidence of decreased pneumococcal disease has been found among breastfed infants of vaccinated mothers.[8]

Effects on milk supply

Immunization of pregnant women with pneumococcal vaccine increased the specific secretory IgA content of milk and colostrum.[8-13] These antibodies in colostrum help inhibit epithelial adhesion of pneumococci to pharyngeal epithelial cells.[9]

Levels in milk

Maternal Levels. A study followed mothers who received the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Mothers who received the vaccination during pregnancy or within 72 hours postpartum had sIgA and IgG in their breastmilk that persisted for at least 7 months postpartum.[5]

Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.