Vaccine Resources: 3 Useful Vaccine Resources about Breastfeeding, Pregnancy, and Communities of Color

COVID-19 vaccines and breastfeeding

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) released a statement in support of COVID-19 vaccines for breastfeeding individuals. The statement highlights the importance of shared decision-making when discussing the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing disease, the risks of breastfeeding cessation, and the potential risks and benefits of vaccines to the breastfed child. Check out “Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination in Lactation” to help guide your conversations with patients.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also supports vaccinating women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Check out their guidance.

Flu and pertussis vaccination during pregnancy

Families Fighting Flu and the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey launched a new campaign to help healthcare providers raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated against flu and pertussis during pregnancy. The collaborative campaign, "2 Protects 2," offers free educational materials that can be downloaded in English and Spanish.

Check out or download the materials today.

Building confidence in COVID-19 vaccines among communities of color

In October 2020, a diverse group of experts met to discuss the root causes of vaccine hesitancy and generational mistrust in government and medical research among communities of color and tribal communities. The meeting resulted in six specific, actionable steps to work toward building trust and ensuring vaccine access in communities of color:

1. Ensure the scientific fidelity of the vaccine development process.
2. Equip trusted community organizations and networks within communities of color and tribal communities to participate in vaccination planning, education and delivery. Ensure their meaningful engagement and participation by providing funding.
3. Provide communities with all of the information they need to understand the vaccine, make informed decisions, and deliver messaging through trusted messengers and pathways.
4. Ensure that it is as easy as possible for people to be vaccinated. Vaccines must be delivered in community settings that are trusted, safe and accessible to communities of color and tribal communities.
5. Ensure complete coverage of the costs associated with the vaccine incurred by individuals, providers of the vaccine, and state/local/tribal/territorial governments responsible for administering the vaccine and communicating with their communities about it.
6. Congress must provide additional funding and require disaggregated data collection and reporting by age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, primary language, disability status and other demographic factors on vaccine trust and acceptance, access, vaccination rates, adverse experiences and ongoing health outcomes.

Read the policy brief, "Building Trust in and Access to a COVID-19 Vaccine Among People of Color and Tribal Nations," or see a summary in this news release issued by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).