Ministry Of Health Says COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) stated that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for breastfeeding mothers. This is stated in the Circular Letter of the Indonesian Ministry of Health regarding the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination Number HK.02.02/11/368/2021.

Spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said that biologically and clinically, breastfeeding does not pose a risk to breastfeeding infants and children, as well as infants and children receiving expressed breast milk.

In fact, said Wiku, the antibodies possessed by the mother after vaccination can protect the baby through breast milk.

"After the vaccine remains safe for breastfeeding, because breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact can significantly reduce the risk of infant mortality and have benefits that outweigh the potential risk of transmitting COVID," Wiku said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, August 10.

Wiku said, if you want to be vaccinated, breastfeeding mothers are recommended to consult their health conditions first.

"Before being vaccinated, breastfeeding mothers are advised to consult about their health conditions with doctors and are in a fit condition to receive the vaccine," he said.

Furthermore, breastfeeding mothers who are positive for COVID-19 can continue to breastfeed by observing health protocols, because the COVID-19 virus is not detected in the breast milk of mothers who are confirmed positive, and babies have a low risk of COVID-19 infection.