The Basics
What is Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccine?
The MMRV vaccine protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).
Brand names for Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccine
Na
How Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccine is classified
Vaccines
Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccine During Pregnancy
Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella 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-Varicella Vaccine while pregnant
N/A
Taking Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Vaccine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella 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 measles, mumps, rubella and varicella virus 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 measles, mumps, rubella and varicella virus 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-Varicella Vaccine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella 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. 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. Dolbear GL, Moffat J, Falkner C, Wojtowycz M. A pilot study: Is attenuated varicella virus present in breast milk after postpartum immunization? Obstet Gynecol. 2003;101 (4 Suppl):47s. Abstract.
12. Bohlke K, Galil K, Jackson LA et al. Postpartum varicella vaccination: is the vaccine virus excreted in breast milk? Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102:970-7. PMID: 14672472
13. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
14. Landes RD, Bass JW, Millunchick EW et al. Neonatal rubella following postpartum maternal immunization. J Pediatr. 1980;97:465-7. PMID: 7191002
15. 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.
