Dear Jan:

I just wanted to pass along the info. I had in my hands.  I'm sure this
is nothing more than you've already read, and if so, I hope I'm not
insulting you and I apologize for wasting your time.

The Breastfeeding Answer Book says, "According to the US Centers for
Disease Control (1994), 'neither killed nor live vaccines affect the
safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants.'."  "Because both killed
and live vaccines are considered compatible with breastfeeding, the new
chickenpox vaccine should be compatible with breastfeeding.  Since the
chickenpox vaccine can be given to children over 12 months old as well
as adults, if the mother or doctor is concerned about its effect on the
breastfeeding baby, suggest the mother ask the baby's doctor about
giving the vaccine to the baby when she receives it (Centers for Disease
Control 1996)."  This is found on pg. 516.

When I looked up chickenpox earlier in the book, it said, "Chickenpox--a
common childhood disease that rarely causes complications if a baby
catches it after birth..." pg. 456.

I cannot find any more info. on it, but have read in other books (No, I
do not know which specifically) there is no reason to separate Mother
and Baby if Mother gets chickenpox because Baby has already been
exposed, and breastfeeding helps Baby recover faster if they contract
it.  My point is that if Mother can still nurse during an active case of
chickenpox, then the virus itself must not seriously affect the quality
of the milk.  I don't know enough about the vaccines and what else may
be in there which could cause problems (I'm sure it's more than egg
white and chickenpox virus), but if the US Center for Disease Control
considers vaccines, both killed and live, to be safe, and if
breastfeeding during the active virus itself is okay, I would conclude
nursing during the vaccine would also be acceptable.  Of course, I have
nothing after my name except a degree in teaching, and 3 Ls (both of
which I'm extremely proud).

Tricia Raiford
LLLleader
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