Yes. Organizations including the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that women who are breastfeeding can receive COVID-19 vaccines – because it is safe for them and their babies. There is no recommendation to postpone breastfeeding or discard breast milk after getting the vaccine.
Small studies have found that mRNA from the vaccines is unlikely to enter the breast milk. If any small amounts of vaccine ingredients did enter the breast milk, they would most likely be destroyed in the baby’s stomach.
Studies have not reported serious adverse reactions to the vaccine in women who are breastfeeding nor their infants. Less than 10% of breastfeeding women in the studies reported changes in milk supply (more or less milk) after getting the vaccine, and their supply returned to normal within a day or two.
Antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 have been found in the breastmilk of breastfeeding women who have been vaccinated. More research is needed to know to what extent these antibodies might protect a breastfeeding child against the virus and how long that protection might last.
Breastfeeding women, or those who are planning to breastfeed, are encouraged to talk to their healthcare providers about all of their breastfeeding questions.
WHO’s Science in 5, COVID-19: vaccines, pregnancy, menstruation, breastfeeding, fertility - 4June21 - YouTube:
