Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System

Newborns are born with an immature immune system, making them susceptible to infections early in life. Human milk provides essential nutrients and immunological factors that support infant immunity. Maternal vaccination during lactation has the potential to enhance these benefits by triggering an im...

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Main Authors: Sien J. Mulleners, Hannah G. Juncker, Jan Zuiderveld, Kirsten A. Ziesemer, Johannes B. van Goudoever, Britt J. van Keulen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/350
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author Sien J. Mulleners
Hannah G. Juncker
Jan Zuiderveld
Kirsten A. Ziesemer
Johannes B. van Goudoever
Britt J. van Keulen
author_facet Sien J. Mulleners
Hannah G. Juncker
Jan Zuiderveld
Kirsten A. Ziesemer
Johannes B. van Goudoever
Britt J. van Keulen
author_sort Sien J. Mulleners
collection DOAJ
description Newborns are born with an immature immune system, making them susceptible to infections early in life. Human milk provides essential nutrients and immunological factors that support infant immunity. Maternal vaccination during lactation has the potential to enhance these benefits by triggering an immune response in the mother, potentially extending protection to her child. However, lactating individuals are often excluded from vaccine trials, leading to uncertainties about vaccine safety and efficacy during the postpartum period. This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of vaccines in enhancing the immune-supporting properties of human milk and assesses their safety and efficacy for lactating mothers and their infants. By examining potential benefits alongside safety concerns, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of postpartum vaccination’s impact on maternal and infant health. We utilized large-language models (LLMs) to enhance the review process and performed a structured literature search across Ovid/Medline, Embase, and Clarivate Analytics using terms like “breastfeeding”, “postpartum”, and “vaccination”. A three-stage screening process involving human and LLM-assisted evaluation focused on postpartum vaccines and their implications for maternal and infant health. We identified 73 studies covering vaccines against COVID-19, cholera, influenza, pertussis, pneumococcal, rabies, polio, rotavirus, rubella, varicella, typhoid, smallpox, and yellow fever. Most vaccines, such as those for COVID-19 and influenza, appear safe and effective for postpartum use without requiring precautionary measures. However, caution is advised with vaccines such as the yellow fever vaccine, where temporary breastfeeding cessation is recommended. Overall, this review underscores the compatibility of most vaccines with lactation and suggests its benefits for both mother and infant.
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spelling doaj-art-a30524a2795e46c1a6ea5b92ba64d10b2025-08-20T03:13:50ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-03-0113435010.3390/vaccines13040350Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening SystemSien J. Mulleners0Hannah G. Juncker1Jan Zuiderveld2Kirsten A. Ziesemer3Johannes B. van Goudoever4Britt J. van Keulen5Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1000 DE Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1000 DE Amsterdam, The NetherlandsFaculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Informatics, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The NetherlandsMedical Library, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1000 DE Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1000 DE Amsterdam, The NetherlandsNewborns are born with an immature immune system, making them susceptible to infections early in life. Human milk provides essential nutrients and immunological factors that support infant immunity. Maternal vaccination during lactation has the potential to enhance these benefits by triggering an immune response in the mother, potentially extending protection to her child. However, lactating individuals are often excluded from vaccine trials, leading to uncertainties about vaccine safety and efficacy during the postpartum period. This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of vaccines in enhancing the immune-supporting properties of human milk and assesses their safety and efficacy for lactating mothers and their infants. By examining potential benefits alongside safety concerns, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of postpartum vaccination’s impact on maternal and infant health. We utilized large-language models (LLMs) to enhance the review process and performed a structured literature search across Ovid/Medline, Embase, and Clarivate Analytics using terms like “breastfeeding”, “postpartum”, and “vaccination”. A three-stage screening process involving human and LLM-assisted evaluation focused on postpartum vaccines and their implications for maternal and infant health. We identified 73 studies covering vaccines against COVID-19, cholera, influenza, pertussis, pneumococcal, rabies, polio, rotavirus, rubella, varicella, typhoid, smallpox, and yellow fever. Most vaccines, such as those for COVID-19 and influenza, appear safe and effective for postpartum use without requiring precautionary measures. However, caution is advised with vaccines such as the yellow fever vaccine, where temporary breastfeeding cessation is recommended. Overall, this review underscores the compatibility of most vaccines with lactation and suggests its benefits for both mother and infant.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/350vaccinesbreastfeedingside effectsimmunityantibodieshuman milk
spellingShingle Sien J. Mulleners
Hannah G. Juncker
Jan Zuiderveld
Kirsten A. Ziesemer
Johannes B. van Goudoever
Britt J. van Keulen
Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System
Vaccines
vaccines
breastfeeding
side effects
immunity
antibodies
human milk
title Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System
title_full Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System
title_fullStr Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System
title_full_unstemmed Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System
title_short Safety and Efficacy of Vaccination During Lactation: A Comprehensive Review of Vaccines for Maternal and Infant Health Utilizing a Large Language Model Citation Screening System
title_sort safety and efficacy of vaccination during lactation a comprehensive review of vaccines for maternal and infant health utilizing a large language model citation screening system
topic vaccines
breastfeeding
side effects
immunity
antibodies
human milk
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/350
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