FluMist: Safe if you're breast-feeding?

Is FluMist safe if you're breast-feeding? I've heard conflicting information.

- Jenny / North Carolina

Answer

Use of the nasal influenza vaccine FluMist in nursing mothers hasn't been adequately evaluated, and it's not known whether FluMist passes into breast milk. The manufacturer of FluMist advises caution in using the nasal flu vaccine in women who are breast-feeding. However, FluMist is not contraindicated in nursing mothers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consult your doctor if you have questions about the safety of the nasal flu vaccine in your specific situation. Be sure to tell your doctor you're breast-feeding before receiving FluMist.