The Basics
What is Meningococcal Vaccines?
Protects against four types of meningococcal bacteria (called types A, C, W, and Y).
Brand names for Meningococcal Vaccines
N/A
How Meningococcal Vaccines is classified
Vaccines
Meningococcal Vaccines During Pregnancy
Meningococcal Vaccines 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 Meningococcal Vaccines while pregnant
N/A
Taking Meningococcal Vaccines While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Meningococcal Vaccines?
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 for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to meningococcal vaccine. Immunization of the mother during the third trimester of pregnancy markedly increases the amount of meningococcal antibodies in breastmilk.[1] Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[2][3][4]
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 for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to meningococcal vaccine. Immunization of the mother during the third trimester of pregnancy markedly increases the amount of meningococcal antibodies in breastmilk.[1] Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[2][3][4]
Possible effects of Meningococcal Vaccines on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Meningococcal Vaccines
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. Maertens K, De Schutter S, Braeckman T et al. Breastfeeding after maternal immunisation during pregnancy: Providing immunological protection to the newborn: A review. Vaccine. 2014;32:1786-92. PMID: 24530929
2. 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
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. General recommendations on immunization — recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60 (RR-2):1-64. PMID: 21293327
5. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
6. Lakshman R, Seymour L, Akhtar S et al. Secretory antibody responses to quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine in lactating mothers. Clin Infect Dis. 2000;31(1):321. Abstract 629.
7. Shahid NS, Steinhoff MC, Roy E et al. Placental and breast transfer of antibodies after maternal immunization with polysaccharide meningiococcal vaccine: a randomized, controlled evaluation. Vaccine. 2002;20:2404-9. PMID: 12009297
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.
