Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Breastfeeding and the vaccine

86 replies

PintOfBovril · 28/11/2020 14:05

I'm a front line NHS nurse and over the coming weeks we'll be offered the Coronavirus vaccination. I want to have it, for the personal health benefit and to protect those around me, especially my vulnerable patients. However I am hesitant due to the fact that I'm still breastfeeding and the vaccine hasn't been tested on lactating mothers. What are your thoughts on this? My LO is 13 months so I know I don't have to bf but neither of us is ready to stop yet.

OP posts:
Hardbackwriter · 03/12/2020 12:55

I was wondering if any of the HCPs on the thread had been given any further information on this as vaccinations get closer to starting? I'm (for selfish reasons) very interested in whether breastfeeding will be a contraindication and everything I can find is, a bit like the information posted upthread, hopelessly vague - it talks about 'pregnancy and breastfeeding' but only gives actual information on pregnancy.

MonkeyPuddle · 03/12/2020 13:02

I’ve not seen any extra info, but I don’t work for the acute trusts, I’m in secondary care so we usually get info after the acute trusts. I’ve been stalking my emails though.
The vaccines aren’t live so I’d imagine that it’s likely to be fine in BFing, but it’s whether or not the manufacturers have the safety data on it.

movingonup20 · 03/12/2020 13:05

There are several different kinds of vaccines in the pipeline, they work in different ways so I expect experts to advise the safest when breastfeeding

Hardbackwriter · 03/12/2020 13:07

@movingonup20

There are several different kinds of vaccines in the pipeline, they work in different ways so I expect experts to advise the safest when breastfeeding
I can't imagine that many people will be in a position where they get a choice of vaccines?
singme · 03/12/2020 13:36

Not had any additional info and none of my friends not on maternity have either.I am watching the Breastfeeding Network page and trying to make a decision based on any evidence we have.

@MonkeyPuddle sorry should have been more clear, I told her she could absolutely have it (although I hate undermining other HCPs), she’s not in a risk group though so I wondered if that was why the GP wasn’t keen. Also they told her it was a live vaccine which is only the case for the nasal one I thought. I paid for it privately as usually get it every year at work but on mat leave.

MonkeyPuddle · 03/12/2020 13:41

I think GP’s aren’t always the most clued up about vaccines and err on the side of caution a bit too much sometimes.
We peer to peer vaccinate at work, I’m surprised I don’t have repetitive strain injury in my jab giving hand the amount we give Grin

trunumber · 03/12/2020 13:42

That's why I'm mad about the Pzifer leaflet saying ask your GP. GP's don't know!

Sitt · 03/12/2020 14:56

My mum is a GP and when I asked her about breastfeeding and the flu jab (I had been told I couldn’t have it by a private provider which I expect was them being over cautious) she asked the nurse practitioner at her practice who confirmed it’s fine - my mum didn’t know herself. Probably better to ask the nurses at the surgery if anyone.

Original poster
PintOfBovril · 03/12/2020 19:23

Hi all. Thank you for your replies, I see I'm not alone in feeling concerned. I had my flu jab at work a few weeks ago and wasn't asked about bfing but I was confident to have it considering it is routinely offered to pregnant women.
I had a response from Dr Wendy James and she has posted it on the Breastfeeding Network 'Drugs in Breastfeeding' facebook group. I can't link to it because I don't have Facebook but essentially it's the info from the green book that a PP posted on this thread. Very reassuring I think and I feel more positive about having it when it is offered.

OP posts:
Clockstop · 03/12/2020 19:46

@Missmonkeypenny

Also following - 11 months into feeding DS but he has CMPA and has never taken a bottle/alternative to my breastmilk. BF ( or dairy free forumla is recommended until 2 )
Same for me too, multiple allergy 15 month old. I teach but I won't be going for the vaccine.
CrunchyCarrot · 03/12/2020 19:48

Two doctors answering viewer's questions on the BBC earlier answered this question. They both said no, don't have the vaccine whilst breastfeeding.

QueenBlueberries · 03/12/2020 19:52

We won’t have a ‘choice’ of vaccines but it was made clear that if a specific vaccine was to be better for a specific age group, ethnic group, etc then eventually there would be guidelines as to which vaccine is most efficient for which group. I expect that will apply to children for example, or for BF mothers.

Persipan · 03/12/2020 19:53

The HCPs info on the Pfizer vaccine specifically says not to use while breastfeeding (presumably mainly from the position of not having any info, rather than having info that it would actually be a problem, but still).

Breastfeeding and the vaccine
LadyBishyBarnaby · 03/12/2020 19:55

The link below is for the Summary of Product Characteristics, which is the MHRA approved information for healthcare professionals, and is what is used to prepare the product information leaflet. If you look at section 4.6, starting on page 5, it has information on breastfeeding.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/940565/Information_for_Healthcare_Professionals_on_Pfizer_BioNTech_COVID-19_vaccine.pdf

LadyBishyBarnaby · 03/12/2020 19:57

Cross post with Persian - the link is the source of the information posted.

LadyBishyBarnaby · 03/12/2020 19:58

Sorry - Persipan - autocorrect!

Persipan · 03/12/2020 20:01

Happens all the time, don't worry! That's what I get for naming myself after an obscure variant of marzipan...

LadyBishyBarnaby · 03/12/2020 20:09

The main reason is that it isn’t considered ethical to test on pregnant or breastfeeding women or children in the early stages, so there is no safety data. This is the case for many drugs, with some only having safety data that has been compiled from when they have been administered against advice/accidentally.

Nefelibata86 · 03/12/2020 20:32

I have had the flu jab this year whilst breastfeeding despite not being in any vulnerable category that would warrant it. If anything I thought the fact I was recorded as breastfeeding to be the reason I was invited for one. Now concerned that its not really recommended. What are the risks does anyone know?

Original poster
PintOfBovril · 03/12/2020 20:41

Crikey well that does change things a bit doesn't it?! I mean, this is potentially a large number of people who would be excluded from receiving the vaccine. I know it's all relative but there are so many women of childbearing age in the NHS and within health and social care.

OP posts:
LadyBishyBarnaby · 03/12/2020 20:41

The flu vaccine is different because it has been around for years but is “tweaked” each year depending on what flu strains are predicted to be prevalent that year.

musicalfrog · 03/12/2020 22:46

This hasn't even crossed my mind I just assumed it would be safe! Still bf my 4yo daily (for about a nanosecond, but still). Thanks for bringing it up op, might be the kick we need to finally bring our journey to an end (I'm SO over it anyway).

Sorry to all those feeding younger bairns though. A tricky dilemma.

Suzi888 · 04/12/2020 05:48

Ask your GP (that’s if they even knowHmm) don’t take advice from people on here who don’t have a scooby doo!

Sitt · 04/12/2020 06:01

Suzi888 if you read the thread we are all waiting to hear from reputable sources of advice. GPs aren’t likely to know anything.