Breastfeeding Is Not a Contraindication to the Exam

Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the immigration medical examination. You can have your exam at any point during breastfeeding. The civil surgeon will conduct the standard physical examination, review your medical history, and administer required vaccines as appropriate.

Vaccine Safety While Breastfeeding

Most vaccines required for immigration are safe to receive while breastfeeding. The CDC and ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) generally consider breastfeeding to be compatible with vaccination.

Live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are generally safe to receive while breastfeeding. Unlike during pregnancy, breastfeeding is not a contraindication to live vaccines. The yellow fever vaccine is one exception — it is generally not recommended while breastfeeding infants under 9 months, but yellow fever is not a standard immigration vaccine requirement.

Chest X-Ray Safety

If a chest X-ray is required as part of your TB evaluation, breastfeeding is not a contraindication. The radiation exposure from a standard chest X-ray is minimal and does not affect breast milk. A lead apron will be used to minimize radiation exposure to other areas of your body.

What to Disclose

Inform the civil surgeon that you are breastfeeding at the start of your appointment. This allows the civil surgeon to note it in your medical history and consider it in the context of any vaccine recommendations. In most cases, breastfeeding will not change the vaccines you receive or the course of your examination.