Last reviewed May 2022
This article is to provide information about covid vaccinations and breastfeeding. LLL does not offer medical advice and cannot offer an opinion as to whether or not any vaccines are appropriate in your particular circumstances. As with all medications La Leche League Leaders cannot offer advice about vaccines.
Women who are breastfeeding can be given all vaccines currently authorised for use in the UK, if they wish to do so, if they meet the other conditions for receiving the vaccine as outlined by the UK Government. We recommend you consult your healthcare provider and any relevant Government guidance for further information, as well as guidance regarding your own circumstances.
The following documents may be used as reference:
The Government guidance on Covid-19 vaccination: a guide for women of childbearing age, pregnant and breastfeeding:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding/covid-19-vaccination-a-guide-for-women-of-childbearing-age-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding
The Green Book which has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures, for vaccine preventable infectious diseases in the UK:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948757/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v4.pdf
The Covid-19 vaccination programme information for healthcare practitioners: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/988091/COVID-19_vaccination_programme_guidance_for_healthcare_workers_20_May_2021_v3.7.pdf
Updated advice on Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy and women who are breastfeeding: https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-women-s-health/vaccination/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding-faqs/
Factsheet on use of Covid-19 vaccinations in breastfeeding and pregnancy from the Hospital Infant Feeding Network: https://www.hifn.org/covid-interim
Factsheet on use of Covid-19 in breastfeeding and pregnancy from the GP Infant Feeding Network: https://gpifn.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/factsheet-on-covid-19-vaccine-and-bf-jan-21.pdf
It has also been confirmed that you can donate milk to Hearts Milk Bank as normal after vaccination for Covid-19:
https://heartsmilkbank.org/milk-donation-and-covid-19-vaccination/