COVID Vaccine For Breastfeeding Moms: Are There Any Side Effects?

Since its roll-out, one of the primary concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine has been its impact on pregnant and breastfeeding women. In June, the Union Health Ministry issued new guidelines for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant women.

The guidelines stated that pregnancy does not increase the risk of COVID-19 infection and has advised all pregnant women to register themselves on the Co-WIN portal or get themselves registered on-site at the COVID-19 vaccination centre.

According to a recent study, pregnant and breastfeeding moms reported similar side effects to what non-breastfeeding women did when vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. The vaccines were also administered to infants, and they did not exhibit any severe side effects [1]. The side-effects reported in infants were irritability and inability to sleep and subsided in a few days.

COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Breastfeeding Women: Study Findings

The study published in the online edition of Breastfeeding Medicine researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine asserted the following [2]:

• The study comprised 180 breastfeeding women who were vaccinated.
• More than 85 per cent of the respondents reported having side effects such as pain, swelling and itching at the injection site.
• After the second dose, women who received the Moderna vaccine reported having side effects more than the other COVID-19 vaccines.
• A small portion of the respondents reported reduced milk supply, which returned within 72 hours after the vaccination.
• There were no major side effects reported in breastfed infants.
• The study findings further added that all lactating women should get themselves vaccinated and can continue breastfeeding their infants [3].
• The researchers added that one limitation pertaining to the study is that the symptoms experienced by pregnant and lactating women were self-reported; that is, more studies are required to establish the findings to be applicable to the generalised population [4].
• The mRNA vaccines were safe for inoculating breastfeeding women and their breastfed children for both vaccines.
• The study findings summarised that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe for breastfeeding mothers and their infants.

"Our results should encourage lactating women to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to continue to breastfeed their infants. They do not have to choose one over the other. Both are critical," the researchers added [5].

Guidelines For Administering COVID-19 Vaccines To Pregnant And Lactating Women

• If a woman has been infected with COVID-19 during the pregnancy, she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery [6].
• Regarding the safety of the vaccines, the ministry said that vaccines available are safe and vaccination protects pregnant women against COVID-19.
• A vaccine may have side effects, which are generally mild - like any other medicine. In most cases, the woman may get a mild fever, pain at the injection site or feel unwell for 1-3 days. The long-term adverse effects and safety of the vaccine for foetus and child are not established yet.
• In sporadic cases (one in 100,000-500,000), pregnant women may experience symptoms within 20 days after getting the COVID-19 vaccination, requiring immediate medical attention [6].
• The COVID-19 vaccines (mRNA) are safe for pregnant women, breastfeeding moms and women trying to get pregnant.
• India's first mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 Zydus Cadila, developed by Pune-based Genova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (part of Emcure group of companies), is expected to be available to the public by September last week.

On A Final Note...

A vaccine may have side effects, which are normally mild - like any other medicine. In most cases, the woman may get a mild fever, pain at the injection site or feel unwell for 1-3 days. Lactating women should get the COVID-19 vaccine and continue to breastfeed their infants.