Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine has not been studied 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 for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to respiratory syncytial virus vaccine.[1-3] Of the two available vaccines, the adjuvanted vaccine (Arexvy) is indicated only for persons over 60 years of age and the nonadjuvanted vaccine (Abrysvo) is indicated for pregnant persons and for persons over 60 years of age. Neither vaccine contains live organisms and non-live vaccines are generally considered to be acceptable during breastfeeding.[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

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

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. Anderson PO. Maternal vaccination and breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med 2019;14:215-7.30888205 PubMed