Anthrax Vaccine and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

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 for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the anthrax vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1-4]

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

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.

Effects in breastfed infants

Limited data indicate that breastfeeding can enhance the response of the infant to certain vaccine antigens.[1,2,5]

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

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

References

1. Kroger A, Bahta L, Long S, et al. CDC. General Best Practices for Immunization. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/index.html
2. Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, et al. Red Book: 2018 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 31st ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018.
3. Gruslin A, Steben M, Halperin S, et al. Immunization in pregnancy: No. 220, December 2008. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2009;105:187-91.19367691 PubMed
4. Wright JG, Quinn CP, Shadomy S, et al. Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009. MMWR Recomm Rep 2010;59 (RR-6):1-30.20651644 PubMed
5. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997;16:991-5.9380478 PubMed