Pneumococcal Vaccine & Breastfeeding

[MadonnaNichols]

Just checking to get your thoughts on administering the Pneumococcal Vaccine to breastfeeding moms. Given the criteria for the vaccine during inpatient hospitalizations, we are being strongly encouraged to offer this vaccine to all new moms who meet the criteria for the vaccine. We are hesitant to strongly recommend it to breastfeeding moms who meet criteria because the CDC states "Data concerning the safety of this vaccine during breastfeeding is not available. However, it is unlikely that the vaccination would cause untoward effects in breastfed infants." Can't find much in the literature so wanted to get your thoughts on it and to see what other hospitals are doing.

Thanks!

[cpride]

Dear Madonna,

This is a nonviable pneumococcal vaccine. The 23-strain vaccine is not active in infants which is the reason it is not marketed for this use. There are few, if any, contraindications for its use in breastfeeding mothers. Although technically not approved for use in breastfeeding mothers, Prevnar 7 is recommended by the AAP for use in infants 2 months of age and older. The CDC also suggests Pneumovax is of minimal risk to a breastfeeding infant. Therefore it is unlikely to produce an untoward effect in a breastfed infant. Dr. Hale rates this vaccine L1. The vaccine is not orally bioavailable.

Sincerely,
Cindy Pride, MSN, CPNP
TTUHSC InfantRisk Center

[MadonnaNichols]

Thank you for the information!

Cindy-

Thank you so much for the information! This helps to guide us in our practice. I appreciate your time and expertise.

Madonna