The Basics
What is Hepatitis B Vaccine?
Used to protect against hepatitis B.
Brand names for Hepatitis B Vaccine
N/A
How Hepatitis B Vaccine is classified
Vaccines
Hepatitis B Vaccine During Pregnancy
Hepatitis B Vaccine pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Hepatitis B Vaccine while pregnant
N/A. Currently, there is a lack of information on getting the Hepatitis B vaccine during pregnancy.
Taking Hepatitis B Vaccine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Hepatitis B Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended along with hepatitis B immune globulin to be given by injection to infants of mothers who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. No differences exist in infection rates between breast-fed and formula-fed infants born to hepatitis B-infected women, as long as the infant receives these preventative measures at birth. Mothers with hepatitis B are encouraged to breastfeed their infants after their infants receive these preventative measures.[1][2] Breastfeeding also appears to reduce infant side effects associated with routine childhood immunization. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[3][4][5]
Maternal / infant drug levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended along with hepatitis B immune globulin to be given by injection to infants of mothers who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. No differences exist in infection rates between breast-fed and formula-fed infants born to hepatitis B-infected women, as long as the infant receives these preventative measures at birth. Mothers with hepatitis B are encouraged to breastfeed their infants after their infants receive these preventative measures.[1][2] Breastfeeding also appears to reduce infant side effects associated with routine childhood immunization. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[3][4][5]
Possible effects of Hepatitis B Vaccine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Hepatitis B Vaccine
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Visvanathan K, Dusheiko G, Giles M et al. Managing HBV in pregnancy. Prevention, prophylaxis, treatment and follow-up: Position paper produced by Australian, UK and New Zealand key opinion leaders. Gut. 2016;65:340-50. PMID: 26475631
2. Dionne-Odom J, Tita AT, Silverman NS. #38: Hepatitis B in pregnancy screening, treatment, and prevention of vertical transmission. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;214:6-14. PMID: 26454123
3. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, Kimberlin DW, Brady MT et al. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 30th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2015.
4. Gruslin A, Steben M, Halperin S et al. Immunization in pregnancy: No. 220, December 2008. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009;105:187-91. PMID: 19367691
5. General recommendations on immunization — recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60 (RR-2):1-64. PMID: 21293327
6. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
7. Pisacane A, Continisio P, Palma O et al. Breastfeeding and risk for fever after immunization. Pediatrics. 2010;125:e1448-52. PMID: 20478932
8. Lopez-Alarcon M, Garza C, Habicht JP et al. Breastfeeding attenuates reductions in energy intake induced by a mild immunologic stimulus represented by DPTH immunization: possible roles of interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and leptin. J Nutr. 2002;132:1293-8. PMID: 12042449
9. Azzari C, Resti M, Rossi ME et al. Modulation by human milk of IgG subclass response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1990;10:310-5. PMID: 2324890
10. Wang JS, Zhu QR, Wang XH. Breastfeeding does not pose any additional risk of immunoprophylaxis failure on infants of HBV carrier mothers. Int J Clin Pract. 2003;57(2):100-2. PMID: 12661791
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
