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Are Breastfeeding Babies Reacting to COVID-19 Vaccines?

Why do some people think that breastfed babies are reacting to the COVID-19 vaccines that their moms are getting?

The usual suspects…

Are Breastfeeding Babies Reacting to COVID-19 Vaccines?

And a post about a reaction in a friend of a friend’s baby…

Children with TTP typically don't have elevated liver enzymes...
Children with TTP typically don’t have elevated liver enzymes…

A post that for better effect, was mixed with another post of a child with a rash and fever.

Is it possible that the baby's symptoms have nothing to do with the fact that their mother recently got a COVID-19 vaccine?
Is it possible that the baby’s symptoms have nothing to do with the fact that their mother recently got a COVID-19 vaccine?

A post that highlights why a child’s signs and symptoms might not be related to their mother’s recent COVID-19 vaccine!

This is the same pic, but not the same baby that Caitlyn RN was posting about - the one with TTP.
This is the same pic, but not the same baby that Caitlyn RN was posting about – the one with TTP.

What’s the most likely reaction for a young child to have a rash and fever?

No, it is almost certainly not a reaction to his mother’s recent COVID-19 vaccine. The most likely reason is that the child has a viral infection like roseola, a common cause of fever and rashes in children.

VAERS reports are usually filed by a health care professional, parent, guardian, or caregiver. Who filed this VAERS report?
VAERS reports are usually filed by a health care professional, parent, guardian, or caregiver. Who filed this VAERS report?

And even though there is a VAERS report that exactly matches the story of the infant with TTP, that also isn’t proof that is a vaccine injury. Reports like this are helpful as experts look for safety signals to see if vaccines are really causing issues.

Can Vaccines Cause TTP?

A safety signal like thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP)?

“Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) is a rare, serious blood disease. Major symptoms may include a severe decrease in the number of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), abnormal destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) and disturbances in the nervous system and other organs occur as a result of small clots that form in the smallest arteries. The exact cause of TTP is unknown.”

National Organization for Rare Disorders on TTP

Do vaccines cause TTP?

“Hereditary TTP is rare, and its prevalence is uncertain (Table 1). Although most estimates suggest a prevalence of 0.5 to 2 cases per million population…”

Hereditary Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

We don’t know what exactly causes TTP in most cases, but it is so rare, it is unlikely that vaccines are commonly associated with TTP.

“Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), also known as Upshaw–Schulman syndrome (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man number, 274150), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by ADAMTS13 mutations that result in the absence or severe deficiency of the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13. ADAMTS13 is required for cleavage of newly synthesized von Willebrand factor multimers. Decreased ADAMTS13 activity is associated with an increased size of von Willebrand factor multimers and an increased risk of microvascular thrombosis. Patients with hereditary TTP may appear to be healthy, but their increased risk of critical thrombosis is always present.”

Hereditary Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

While there are a few case reports of vaccines being associated with TTP, it is thought that bacterial and viral infections are the typical triggers.

In fact, experts typically recommend that patients with known TTP get vaccinated and protected with a COVID-19 vaccine!

Breastfeeding and Vaccine Side Effects

But isn’t it possible for a breastfeeding baby to have an adverse event from a vaccine that their mother received?

“In April, 2009, the state health department of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was notified by the Cachoeira do Sul municipal health department of a case of meningoencephalitis requiring hospitalization in an infant whose mother recently had received yellow fever vaccine during a postpartum visit.”

Transmission of yellow fever vaccine virus through breast-feeding – Brazil, 2009

It is, and that’s why there are warnings about some vaccines while a mother is breastfeeding.

“The findings in this report provide documentation that yellow fever vaccine virus can be transmitted via breast-feeding. Administration of yellow fever vaccine to breast-feeding women should be avoided except in situations where exposure to yellow fever viruses cannot be avoided or postponed.”

Transmission of yellow fever vaccine virus through breast-feeding – Brazil, 2009

The concern when breastfeeding is typically about a few live vaccines, like the yellow fever vaccine, and the smallpox vaccine (contraindicated) though.

Breastfeeding mothers can safely get other live vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, and all inactivated vaccines.

“COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to lactating individuals similar to non-lactating individuals.”

Vaccinating Pregnant and Lactating Patients Against COVID-19

And although specific studies are ongoing, experts advise that breastfeeding moms can also safely get a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s certainly better than getting COVID-19!

Breastfeeding and Vaccine Side Effect Fact Check

There is no evidence that breastfeeding babies are having side effects, and certainly not severe side effects, after their mothers have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

More on Breastfeeding and COVID-19 Vaccines

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