From the Guidelines
Breastfed newborns should be vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule, as breastfeeding does not adversely affect immunization and may even enhance the response to certain vaccine antigens. Vaccination is essential for all infants, regardless of whether they are breastfed or formula-fed. The standard vaccination schedule typically begins at birth with the hepatitis B vaccine, followed by vaccines at 2,4, and 6 months of age, including those for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP), polio (IPV), pneumococcal disease (PCV13), rotavirus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) 1.
Some key points to consider:
- Breast milk provides passive immunity through antibodies, while vaccines stimulate the baby's own immune system to develop active immunity against specific diseases.
- There is no scientific evidence that breastfeeding reduces vaccine effectiveness or increases adverse reactions.
- In fact, studies suggest breastfeeding may enhance immune response to vaccines, as limited data indicate that breast feeding can enhance the response to certain vaccine antigens 1.
- Following the recommended vaccination schedule is crucial for protecting infants from serious preventable diseases during their vulnerable early months.
- The hepatitis B vaccine is typically administered at birth, with subsequent vaccines given at 2,4, and 6 months of age, as outlined in the recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents 1.
Overall, the benefits of vaccination for breastfed newborns far outweigh any potential risks, and vaccination according to the recommended schedule is essential for protecting these infants from serious preventable diseases.
From the Research
Vaccination of Breastfed Newborns
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of whether breastfed newborns should receive vaccinations, but they do provide information on the immunogenicity and safety of various vaccine combinations in infants 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies suggest that vaccinations are generally safe and effective in infants, regardless of whether they are breastfed or not 3, 4, 5, 6.
- One study found that preterm infants, who may be at higher risk of infection, can be vaccinated using the same schedules as full-term infants, with some exceptions 2.
- Another study found that a combination vaccine was highly immunogenic and well tolerated when coadministered with other vaccines at 2,4, and 6 months of age 3.
- A study on the immunogenicity and safety of a hexavalent vaccine found that it was non-inferior to separate vaccines and had a similar reactogenicity profile 5.
- A study on the antibody responses of healthy infants to concurrent administration of a bivalent Haemophilus influenzae type b-hepatitis B vaccine with other vaccines found that the antibody responses were satisfactory, with some exceptions 6.
Vaccine Combinations and Schedules
- The studies provide information on various vaccine combinations and schedules, including:
- DTaP-HepB-IPV vaccine coadministered with PCV-7 and Hib vaccine 3
- Pentavalent vaccine (DTP-Hib-HB) compared to separate vaccines 4
- Hexavalent vaccine (DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib) compared to separate vaccines 5
- Bivalent Haemophilus influenzae type b-hepatitis B vaccine (COMVAX) coadministered with DTP, OPV or IPV, and M-M-R(II) vaccine 6
- The studies suggest that these vaccine combinations and schedules are generally safe and effective, but may have some differences in terms of immunogenicity and reactogenicity 3, 4, 5, 6.