Breastfeeding and COVID-19

If you’re breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, you can still get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're eligible. The vaccine you’ll be offered will be clinically appropriate for you, and will follow recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

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Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I'm breastfeeding?

The benefits of breastfeeding are well known, and the COVID-19 vaccine can safely be given to women who are breastfeeding. The antibodies you make following vaccination can pass into your breast milk. These may give your baby some protection against COVID-19.

You shouldn’t stop breastfeeding to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and you can continue breastfeeding after vaccination.

Can I carry on breastfeeding if I have COVID-19?

Yes, if you get COVID-19, the advice is to keep breastfeeding if you can. While you could pass it to your baby in the same way as anyone close to you, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks. Breastfeeding is good for the health of both of you. Breast milk contains antibodies which boost your baby's immune system and helps them fight viruses and infections.