The Basics
What is Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine?
MMR vaccine can prevent measles, mumps, and rubella.
Brand names for Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
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How Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine is classified
Vaccines
Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine During Pregnancy
Measles-Mumps-Rubella 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 Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine while pregnant
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Taking Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Measles-Mumps-Rubella 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 for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to MMR vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules. Although rubella vaccine virus might be excreted into milk, the virus usually does not infect the infant. If an infection does occur, it is well tolerated because the viruses are attenuated.[1][2][3] No clear evidence exists of live attenuated measles or mumps vaccine virus excretion into breastmilk.[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 MMR vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules. Although rubella vaccine virus might be excreted into milk, the virus usually does not infect the infant. If an infection does occur, it is well tolerated because the viruses are attenuated.[1][2][3] No clear evidence exists of live attenuated measles or mumps vaccine virus excretion into breastmilk.[4]
Possible effects of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
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. 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
2. 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.
3. General recommendations on immunization — recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60 (RR-2):1-64. PMID: 21293327
4. Alain S, Dommergues MA, Jacquard AC et al. State of the art: Could nursing mothers be vaccinated with attenuated live virus vaccine? Vaccine. 2012;30:4921-6. PMID: 22659446
5. Farquhar JD. Follow-up on rubella vaccinations and experience with subclinical reinfection. J Pediatr. 1972;81:460-5. PMID: 5065683
6. Buimovici-Klein E, Hite RL, Byrne T et al. Isolation of rubella virus in milk after pospartum immunization. J Pediatr. 1977;91:939-41. PMID: 925824
7. Krogh V, Duffy LC, Wong D et al. Postpartum immunization with rubella virus vaccine and antibody response in breast-feeding infants. J Lab Clin Med. 1989;113(6):695-9. PMID: 2732617
8. Losonsky GA, Fishaut JM, Strussenberg J. Effect of immunization against rubella on lactation products. II. Maternal-neonatal interactions. J Infect Dis. 1982;145:661-6. PMID: 7077090
9. Losonsky GA, Fishaut JM, Strussenberg J, Ogra PL. Effect of immunization against rubella on lactation products. I. Development and characterization of specific immunologic reactivity in breast milk. J Infect Dis. 1982;145:654-60. PMID: 7077089
10. Hisano M, Kato T, Inoue E et al. Evaluation of measles-rubella vaccination for mothers in early puerperal phase. Vaccine. 2016;34:1208-14. PMID: 26801065
11. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
12. Landes RD, Bass JW, Millunchick EW et al. Neonatal rubella following postpartum maternal immunization. J Pediatr. 1980;97:465-7. PMID: 7191002
13. Lerman SJ. Neonatal rubella following maternal immunization. J Pediatr. 1981;98:668-9. Letter. PMID: 7205504
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.
