Breastfeeding and COVID-19 vaccination

Global breastfeeding experts are urging vaccine manufacturers, regulators, lactation scientists, infectious disease specialists and public health experts to come together early in vaccine development for a comprehensive assessment of COVID-19 vaccine safety for breastfeeding mothers.

Doing so can “improve maternal–infant health and maintain public confidence in vaccines in handling this pandemic and preparing for the next”, write the experts in an open letter published by The Lancet.

Failure to do has already resulted in ambiguous, changing national guidance, undue pressure on healthcare providers … and ultimately, women choosing between breastfeeding their infants or vaccinating themselves.

Read the full letter here: ‘Breastfeed or be vaccinated – an unreasonable default recommendation’.  

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