I have had just a quick look about about 60 US news articles published in
the last few days on the vaccine program. Most of them state simply that
"pregnant and breastfeeding women should not get the vaccine" or variations
on that message. Some have confused that message and are reporting the risk
of complications is higher in women who are breastfeeding.

I think the message around breastfeeding has been bungled - I haven't seen
any news coverage indicating the vaccine isn't given to breastfeeding women
because of transmission risk to the baby due to close contact with the virus
site. That¹s not to say there isn't any, but the bulk of the messaging out
there doesn't state WHY breastfeeding women shouldn't have the vaccine.

This reminds me of West Nile Virus - when creating public health messages
our authorities do not appear to have considered the negative impact on
breastfeeding and so are not tailoring messages that are designed to inform
or reassure mothers who are breastfeeding.

Once again health care professionals will find themselves countering
misconceptions created by reports in the news media.

To end on a positive note, our local advocacy group recently raised concerns
with our provincial health authority about news coverage not communicating
the relative risk of WNV transmitted through breastfeeding vs the risk of
weaning. As a result the provincial health department will be considering
our views as they prepare their public health messaging on WNV. This is
terrific news as WNV hasn't hit our area yet and so we have a chance to be
proactive.

-- Jodine Chase
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada


> From: Lisa JOnes RN CLE IBCLC <[log in to unmask]>
> 
<snip>

if the site is covered the risk of exposure is greatly
> lessened.  I kind of get upset with some of the recommmendations
> though...the only reason breastfeeding women are excluded from the smallpox
> vaccine is risk of site exposure...so  I take this to mean that acording to
> the CDC,etc. they don't believe that bottle feeding mothers or all fathers
> cuddle their infants? Or Bed share? All persons recieving the vaccine need
> to be clearly informed of potientials for exposure to others- the
> guidelines all have them clearly stated, just the info doesn't seem to be
> getting passed on.


<snip>

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