The Basics
What is Varicella Vaccine?
Vaccine that protects against chickenpox.
Brand names for Varicella Vaccine
Varivax
How Varicella Vaccine is classified
Vaccines
Varicella Vaccine During Pregnancy
Varicella Vaccine pregnancy category
CategoryNote 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 Varicella Vaccine while pregnant
Contraindicated. VARIVAX should not be administered to pregnant females since wild-type varicella can sometimes cause congenital varicella infection. Pregnancy should be avoided for three months following vaccination with VARIVAX [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and PATIENT INFORMATION].
Taking Varicella Vaccine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Varicella Vaccine?
Can you get the Varicella Vaccine while breastfeeding? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 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 varicella vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1][2][3]
Maternal / infant drug levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 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 varicella vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1][2][3]
Possible effects of Varicella Vaccine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to 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. General recommendations on immunization — recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60 (RR-2):1-64. PMID: 21293327
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. 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.
5. 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
6. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
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.
