Flu Shot and Breastfeeding

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Flu Shot and Breastfeeding

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Question:

Is it safe to get a flu shot if I am still breastfeeding?

Answer:

Yes, it is safe for both the mother and her baby. The flu shot consists of inactive ingredients that mimic the influenza virus. Because there are no live viruses in the vaccine, it cannot cause an infection.

Although the nasal spray vaccine (FluMist) is probably safe, it is still to new too be sure. FluMist contains live inactivated virus. Therefore, I would not recommend this type of vaccination for a woman who is breastfeeding.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

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Last updated:	July 20, 2009

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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