The national COVID-19 Vaccination Programme was rolled out in December 2020. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech/COMIRNATY and Moderna) were the first to be authorised for use in Singapore, followed by the inactivated Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine. To date, over 94% of those medically eligible in Singapore have been vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health recommends both pregnant and breastfeeding women to receive vaccination as the risks of COVID-19 infection outweigh the potential risks of vaccination.
Guidelines issued on 31st May 2021 state that breastfeeding mothers can continue to breastfeed immediately after receiving vaccination1. There is no need to suspend breastfeeding for 5 to 7 days.
International organisations such as the World Health Organization2, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine3, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)4 and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)5 recommend breastfeeding women who receive the COVID-19 vaccine to continue breastfeeding post vaccination because mRNA vaccines are unlikely to cause harm. The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) also advises mothers who receive the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine to continue breastfeeding6.
Evidence globally shows that breastfeeding women produce high levels of specific anti-virus antibodies in response to the vaccine. These protective antibodies can be detected in breast milk as early as 5 to 7 days after vaccination. In addition to being protected, breastfeeding mothers who get vaccinated have an added advantage of providing passive immunisation for their newborns with the transfer of antibodies to their babies via breastfeeding.7
The KK Human Milk Bank* supports this recommendation and encourages mothers to continue breastfeeding post vaccination. However, if a mother decides to temporarily stop breastfeeding, she can use previously stored expressed milk to feed her baby during the 5 to 7 days post vaccination.
During the period when breastfeeding is interrupted, it is important for the mother to express milk regularly to maintain the milk supply.
For advice on maintaining lactation and milk expression:
KKH Lactation ServicePhone: 6 CALL KKH (6225 5554)
For information on the KK Human Milk Bank:
Phone: 6394 1986 Email: milkbank@kkh.com.sgKK Women’s And Children’s Hospital 100 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 229899 Level 2, Women’s Tower
Phone: 6394 1986 Email: milkbank@kkh.com.sg
KK Women’s And Children’s Hospital 100 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 229899 Level 2, Women’s Tower
(Please make an appointment with the KK Human Milk Bank via phone or email before visiting)
Operation hours:
Monday to Friday (except public holidays) 8.30am to 5.00pm (Lunch hour: 1.00pm to 2.00pm)
*The KK Human Milk Bank is supported by Temasek Foundation
Please click on this link to find out more about the use of PDHM.
References:
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