The Effect of Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination on Breastfeeding Infants

Introduction: There are concerns about the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on breastfeeding women and their infants. This study aims to describe the effect of maternal COVID-19 vaccination on breastfeeding practices and their infants. Methods: We analysed data of breastfeeding women on the type and doses of vaccine, and the presence of symptoms in their infants, from 1) Sibu Hospital’s online, self-reported adverse reaction database; 2) case records of consultation from breastfeeding women after vaccination from March to May 2021. Results: Sixty-five breastfeeding women were identified. Fifty-nine (90.8%) received the Comirnaty® vaccine, while the rest received CoronaVac®. The infants' mean (SD) age was 9.1 (6.90) months, the youngest is two months. Majority (n=56, 86.2%) of the mothers did not delay breastfeeding after both vaccinations. Nine mothers delayed breastfeeding (three by six hours, two each by one and seven days, and one each by two and three days). All respondents denied changes in the infant's breastfeeding duration and breastmilk production. Five infants (median age 8.0 months, IQR 12.00 months) had symptoms after the Comirnaty® vaccine: irritability (n=3, 60.0%), rhinorrhoea (n=1, 20.0%) and rash (n=1, 20.0%). Three mothers of infants with symptoms did not delay breastfeeding after vaccination, while two mothers delayed for maximum of three days. One infant (1.5%) required hospitalisation for rash, which was thought to be due to cow's milk protein intolerance. The symptoms resolved within one day without any medication. Discussion/conclusion: We found that the COVID-19 vaccination was well accepted by most breastfeeding mothers. Some reported adverse events in infants were mild and self-limiting. We conclude that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and should be an acceptable practice for breastfeeding mothers. [Disclaimer: Abstract text might vary slightly from what is displayed in the e-poster]This poster was submitted to the 14th National Conference for Clinical Research (NCCR) on August 18-20 2021. https://nccrconference.com.my