COVID-19 Vaccination in Lactating Women Transfers Immune Response to Breastfed Infants

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Researchers from the University of Massachusetts conducted a study to evaluate the transfer of immune responses from lactating women who received the COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccine to their breastfeeding infants. The study consisted of 30 lactating women who received the vaccine from January through April 2021. The results showed that the vaccine induced a strong immune response in the women, which was reflected in their breast milk. The immune response in the breast milk was driven by anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG and included significant elevation of interferon-g. The study also found that the immune response was transferred to the breastfed infants, with 33% and 30% of infant stool samples containing anti-RBD IgG and anti-RBD IgA, respectively. The levels of anti-RBD antibodies in infant stool correlated with maternal vaccine side effects. The study concluded that the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination induces a humoral and cellular immune response in lactating women, which is transferred to their breastfed infants and can provide passive immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the immune responses to COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines in lactating women and the transfer of these responses to their breastfeeding infants.
  • The research consisted of 30 lactating women who received the vaccine from January through April 2021.
  • The vaccine induced a strong immune response in the women, which was reflected in their breast milk, driven by anti-RBD IgG.
  • The immune response in the breast milk also included significant elevation of interferon-g.
  • The study found that 33% and 30% of infant stool samples contained anti-RBD IgG and anti-RBD IgA, respectively.
  • The levels of anti-RBD antibodies in infant stool correlated with maternal vaccine side effects.
  • The study concluded that the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination induces a humoral and cellular immune response in lactating women, which is transferred to their breastfed infants.
  • The study suggested that this transfer of immune response can provide passive immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Statistics:

  • 30 lactating women participated in the study.
  • The vaccine was administered from January through April 2021.
  • 33% of infant stool samples contained anti-RBD IgG.
  • 30% of infant stool samples contained anti-RBD IgA.
  • 45% of infant stool samples contained both anti-RBD IgG and anti-RBD IgA.

Sources:

  • Neutralizing Antibodies and Cytokines In Breast Milk After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Mrna Vaccination. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 2022;48(2):181-191.
  • Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.