Yellow fever vaccine and breastfeeding: what to know

Yellow fever vaccination decisions are based on your destination and route, but breastfeeding adds questions about the nursing child and your own health. A clinician needs to understand the child’s age and health, whether travel can be changed, your risk of exposure during the journey, and whether a vaccination certificate is requested for entry.

Do not stop breastfeeding, change feeds, or make a vaccine decision solely from an online checklist. A travel-health clinician or your maternity and child-health team can help you make a plan that fits your circumstances.

Book a travel consultation as early as possible. Bring the full itinerary, your vaccination history, details of medicines and allergies, and information about the baby’s health. Explain whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using other feeds, and whether the baby was born early or has a medical condition. The clinician can discuss travel prevention measures and decide whether vaccination, postponement, or a different travel plan should be considered.

Read Yellow Fever Vaccination before the appointment so you can ask focused questions about the travel purpose, vaccine record and possible reactions.

Seek urgent care after vaccination for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, collapse, seizures, severe confusion, or marked weakness. Contact a clinician promptly if you develop a high fever, worsening headache, unusual drowsiness, or symptoms that interfere with caring for your baby. If your baby becomes unwell and you are concerned, arrange paediatric assessment rather than assuming the cause.

Ask whether travel can safely be delayed or rerouted, whether your itinerary creates a certificate requirement, and how breastfeeding affects the recommendation in your situation. Ask which symptoms in you or your baby should lead to urgent medical advice and which mosquito-avoidance measures are appropriate for the trip.