Zoster vaccine live Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Zostavax

Zoster vaccine live Pregnancy Warnings

Use is contraindicated.

AU TGA pregnancy category: B2
US FDA pregnancy category: Not formally assigned to a pregnancy category

Comments: Avoid pregnancy for 1 to 3 months after receiving this vaccine.

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. It is not known whether this vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Naturally-occurring varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is known to sometimes cause fetal harm; therefore, this vaccine should not be administered to pregnant females. A Pregnancy Registry to monitor fetal outcomes following inadvertent administration of varicella vaccines at any time during pregnancy or within 3 months prior to conception was maintained for 19 years. As of March 2011, none of the over 800 women who received a varicella-containing vaccine delivered infants with abnormalities consistent with congenital varicella syndrome.

All exposures to varicella-zoster vaccine during pregnancy or within three months prior to conception should be reported as suspected adverse reactions at www.vaers.hhs.gov.

AU TGA pregnancy category B2: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals are inadequate or may be lacking, but available data show no evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage.

See references

Zoster vaccine live Breastfeeding Warnings

Caution is recommended.

Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Data not available

Comments:
-This drug is not indicated in women who are nursing.
-Because some viruses are secreted in human milk, caution should be exercised if administered to a nursing woman.

See references

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer