From the Guidelines
Yes, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can be safely administered to breastfeeding mothers. The HPV vaccines available are not live vaccines but are made from virus-like particles that cannot cause infection, making them safe during lactation [ 1 ]. There is no evidence that receiving the HPV vaccine while breastfeeding poses any risk to the nursing infant or affects milk production.
Key Points
- The vaccine can be given to breastfeeding mothers as it is safe and does not interfere with lactation or pose risks to the infant [ 1 ].
- Breastfeeding mothers who are eligible for HPV vaccination should follow the standard vaccination schedule, which consists of two or three doses depending on the age at which vaccination begins [ 1 ].
- For those starting before age 15, two doses are given 6-12 months apart, and for those starting at age 15 or older, three doses are recommended (0,1-2, and 6 months) [ 1 ].
- The vaccine helps protect against HPV types that can cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts [ 1 ].
- Getting vaccinated during the breastfeeding period can be convenient timing for maternal healthcare while providing important cancer prevention benefits.
Administration Considerations
- The vaccine should not be given to people with a history of immediate hypersensitivity to yeast or any vaccine component [ 1 ].
- Immunization should be deferred for people with moderate or severe acute illness [ 1 ].
- Consider having vaccine recipients sit or lie down for 15 minutes after administration to prevent syncope [ 1 ].
From the Research
HPV Vaccine Administration While Breastfeeding
- The safety of administering the HPV vaccine to breastfeeding mothers is not directly addressed in the provided studies.
- However, a study on vaccinations during pregnancy and breastfeeding suggests that the benefits of immunization during breastfeeding may outweigh the theoretical risks of potential adverse events 2.
- Another study on the safety of HPV vaccines during pregnancy found that the vaccine does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, but it is not recommended to be routinely administered during pregnancy 3.
- There is no direct evidence on the administration of HPV vaccine while breastfeeding, but a study on rotavirus vaccination found that withholding breastfeeding around the time of vaccine administration is acceptable to mothers and may improve vaccine performance 4.
- A study on HPV transmission through breast milk found that HPV DNA can be detected in breast milk, but it is not clear if this affects the safety of administering the HPV vaccine to breastfeeding mothers 5.
- Overall, there is limited information available on the administration of HPV vaccine to breastfeeding mothers, and more research is needed to determine its safety and efficacy in this population 2, 5, 3.