Abstract
Justification
In India, till recently, breastfeeding women have been excluded from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination program, rendering a significant population of the country, including frontline workers, ineligible to derive the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Objective
The objective of this recommendation is production of an evidence-based document to guide the pediatricians to give advice to breastfeeding mothers regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating women.
Process
Formulation of key question was done under the chairmanship of president of the IAP. It was followed by review of literature regarding efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in breastfeeding women. The recommendations of other international and national professional bodies were also deliberated in detail. The available data was discussed in the ACVIP focused WhatsApp group. Opinion of all members was taken and the final document was prepared after achieving consensus.
Recommendations
The IAP/ACVIP recommends the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to all breastfeeding women. The IAP/ACVIP endorses the recent recommendation of the Government of India, to consider all breastfeeding women as eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
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References
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Contributors
All authors were part of the IAP ACVIP team that formulated these guidelines. PG, BJP, GVB, and SGK: conceived the Guidelines, prepared the agenda, and executed administratively. PG and SGK: led the discussions and all the members actively participated. SGK, SKD, SV, HKP, AS reviewed the literature on national and international guidelines, SGK, SM, SKA, SS, SK reviewed the literature on safety of COVID vaccines in breast feeding women, S, KC, SK reviewed the literature on immunological parameters in breast milk. SGK, SKD wrote the first draft. The first draft was peer reviewed by PG, SBS. PG, BJK, PG, GVB, RK provided intellectual inputs and overall guidance at every step. PG, BJP, GVB provided the administrative support from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and coordinated between the team and executive board members of the Academy. The final document was drafted by SGK and SKD; and edited by PG and SBS. All authors approved the final recommendations of the guidelines.
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Kasi, S.G., Dhir, S.K., Shivananda, S. et al. Breastfeeding and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination: Position Statement of Indian Academy of Pediatrics Advisory Committee on Vaccination and Immunization Practices. Indian Pediatr 58, 647–649 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-021-2261-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-021-2261-z