I am a La Leche League Leader who received a call from a mother of a 3-week
old infant.  Mom is starting a nursing program at a local college and is
required to have a series of immunizations since she will be working with
patients - she is to have th PPD skin test, varicele (sp?) titer, diptheria
toxoid booster, tetanus booster and  the hepatitis B vaccine series.  The one
she is most concerned about is the hepatitis B since it is a live virus.  She
has asked many people whether she should continue to breastfeed or not and
been given different answers.  She has heard stories of babies getting
hepatitis by nursing.  Her pediatrician didn't want to answer the question of
whether she should continue nursing or not but when pressed said she should
not nurse for two weeks after the vaccine.  This is not very practical
because she has to have a second shot a month later and then a third some
time later.  Discontinuing nursing for two weeks would be very detrimental to
her nursing relationship with the baby.  Do any of you LactNetters have any
information for me to pass on to her about this?  Isn't the hepatitis B
vaccine now given to very young babies anyway?  Please educate me if you can.
 I would appreciate a swift reply as she is scheduled for the vaccines in 48
hours and cannot continue with her nursing studies unless she receives the
vaccinations.  Thanks very much!