Zoster Vaccines and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 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 Herpes zoster vaccine in the breastfeeding mother, including both the live and recombinant vaccines.[1-5]

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. Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF. Prevention of Herpes zoster: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep 2008;57 (RR-5):1-30.
4. 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
5. Anderson TC, Masters NB, Guo A, et al. Use of recombinant zoster vaccine in immunocompromised adults aged ≥19 years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices-United States, 2022. Am J Transplant 2022;22:986-90.