Many new mums worry: if I get a jab while breastfeeding, could it affect my baby through the milk? You can relax — the vast majority of vaccines are safe during lactation, and there's no need to pause nursing.
Flu vaccine: safe, with a bonus
The seasonal flu vaccine is safe for both nursing mothers and infants. Better still, the antibodies the mother produces after vaccination can pass through breast milk, giving extra protection to a baby too young to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccine: safe and recommended
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe during breastfeeding, and professional bodies in Hong Kong including the Hong Kong Paediatric Society and the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Hong Kong recommend nursing mothers complete it. Studies also show antibodies against the virus can be detected in breast milk after vaccination.
Other vaccines
Most inactivated vaccines (such as pertussis, hepatitis B and tetanus) can be given while breastfeeding. Only a few live vaccines (yellow fever, for example) call for a benefit-versus-risk discussion with your doctor in special circumstances — something you generally won't encounter unless it's for travel or another specific need.
What to do
Before the jab, tell the staff you're breastfeeding. For the vast majority of vaccines this won't change anything, but letting staff know helps them give the most suitable advice for your situation. You can nurse as normal afterwards — there's no need to "pump and dump" or pause breastfeeding.