Postpartum varicella vaccination: is the vaccine virus excreted in breast milk?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the varicella vaccine virus is detected in breast milk after vaccination of breast-feeding women and whether there is serologic evidence of exposure of the infant to varicella virus after maternal vaccination.


METHODS
We enrolled women identified as varicella seronegative during routine prenatal screening at Group Health Cooperative. Participants received the first dose of varicella vaccine at least 6 weeks postpartum and the second dose at least 4 weeks later. They collected ten breast milk samples after each vaccine dose. Breast milk samples were tested for varicella zoster virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum specimens were collected from the mothers 1 month after each vaccine dose, and peripheral blood from their infants was collected onto filter spots 1 month after the mother's second dose. These samples were tested for varicella immunoglobulin (Ig) G by whole-virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or by the more sensitive glycoprotein ELISA. When possible, filter spots from the infants were also tested by PCR for the presence of varicella zoster virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).


RESULTS
Twelve women were enrolled; all seroconverted after the first vaccine dose. Varicella DNA was not detected by PCR in any of the 217 postvaccination breast milk specimens. None of the infants was seropositive. Samples from six infants were tested for varicella zoster virus DNA by PCR, and all were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no evidence of varicella vaccine virus excretion in breast milk. These findings suggest that postpartum vaccination of varicella-susceptible women need not be delayed because of breast-feeding.
Bohlke
Kari
K
Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, Washington 98101-1448, USA. bohlke.k@ghc.org
Galil
Karin
K
Jackson
Lisa A
LA
Schmid
D Scott
DS
Starkovich
Pat
P
Loparev
Vladimir N
VN
Seward
Jane F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation; D008875:Middle Aged; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G