The American College of Obgyn and other Women’s health experts agree that Covid-19 vaccines should be offered to pregnant or breastfeeding people. Pregnant women were excluded from the initial Covid-19 vaccine clinical trials. Obstetrician/gynecologists, like me, follow the latest research to help our patients make safe decisions regarding their pregnancy.

The Boston research team published a study titled “Covid-19 vaccine response in pregnant and lactating women” in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG). The paper is consistent with several small studies showing pregnant individuals have a robust immune response after the Covid-19 vaccination and secrete the antibodies into their breast milk.

This study analyzed blood samples and breast milk from 131 women in Boston and the surrounding area. The group included 84 pregnant, 31 lactating, and 16 nonpregnant individuals. The study also included five women who reported a previous SARs-CoV-2 infection. Each participant received the two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine following the FDA-approved protocols.

The research team tested blood and breast milk before vaccination and monitored the antibody response. The scientists compared antibody levels in pregnant women to 37 individuals with a history of natural infection during pregnancy and a cohort of nonpregnant people.

The results indicated a robust blood antibody response in all three groups. While scientists have shown already that moms pass protective antibodies to their baby after a natural Covid-19 infection, this study is important verification that pregnant women also develop an appropriate antibody response after vaccination.

Antibody transfer is good news for babies because a newborn’s immune system is not fully developed. Babies rely on maternal antibodies from blood and breast milk to protect against various infections during the first few months of life.

This study also reinforced encouraging news for lactating people. All the vaccinated mothers had antibodies in the breast milk samples. This finding provides further evidence that vaccinated women pass protective antibodies to their babies. Antibodies are present in breast milk within five to seven days of other viral vaccinations such as Tdap and influenza. Previous research also demonstrated women with a natural Covid-19 infection produce antibodies and secrete them into their breast milk. This study confirms published data from Portland that vaccinated women do too.

The side effects reported in the study were rare and similar in all three groups. The most common symptoms were fever and chills. These side effects are known to be good signs the vaccines are working to trigger an immune response.

This paper adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy and lactation. We continue to learn more about the novel coronavirus’s effects on pregnancy, newborns, and Covid-19 immunization in pregnancy.

Current research shows most pregnant people who contract Covid-19 have excellent outcomes but have an increased risk of ICU admission and preterm labor. Based on the known risks of Covid-19 infection in pregnancy, pregnant and lactating people are eligible for any one of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines.

None of the three FDA-approved vaccines contain a live virus. One cannot catch Covid-19 from the vaccine or spread the disease from the vaccines to a newborn through breastfeeding.

Pregnant patients can be confident knowing the three approved vaccines trigger an immune response to help protect themself and their babies.

Pregnant and lactating individuals are categorized as 1B in most states and1C in others.

To find a Covid-19 vaccine near you, click here.

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A new preprint study from the Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine shows more great news about vaccination during pregnancy. Their research confirmed the first known case of a baby born with detectable protective antibodies after maternal Covid-19 vaccination.

The paper titled “Newborn Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected in cord blood after maternal vaccination” follows the clinical course of a pregnant healthcare worker who received the first dose of the Moderna mRNA vaccine. Florida Atlantic University offered all front-line healthcare workers the Moderna mRNA. The mother had no previous known Covid-19 infection. She qualified for and received her vaccination at pregnancy week 36.

The paper titled “Newborn Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected in cord blood after maternal vaccination” follows the clinical course of a pregnant healthcare worker who received the first dose of the Moderna mRNA vaccine. Florida Atlantic University offered all front-line healthcare workers the Moderna mRNA. The mother had no previous known Covid-19 infection. She qualified for and received her vaccination at pregnancy week 36.

Three weeks later, she had a spontaneous vaginal delivery at term (39 weeks gestation). After delivery, she received her second dose as per the standard 28-day vaccine process. At the time of birth, the research team tested the healthy female infant’s umbilical cord blood for the presence of Covid-19 antibodies. The results showed a high level of IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

These findings are not surprising. Other vaccines given during pregnancy like Tdap and influenza are known to transmit immunity from mom to baby. Both influenza and Tdap vaccines reduce the risk for newborn babies who are too young to get vaccinated. These vaccines transfer antibodies from mom to baby through the placenta, protecting infants until they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations.

The placenta is the organ inside the uterus that keeps the baby alive. Maternal blood circulates through this internal filtration system allowing the growing baby to get oxygen and nutrients from the mother. The placenta removes carbon dioxide and waste products while also serving as the defense system against invading infections like bacteria and viruses.

This paper is critically important to Obgyns, like me, as it serves as a proof of concept verifying maternal vaccination offers some degree of protection to newborn babies. Improving our maternal vaccination rates can prevent hospitalizations and potentially save lives.

This case report showing maternal antibody transmission to the baby after vaccination comes on top of other news showing antibodies are passed through breast milk. Previous studies confirmed that moms pass protective antibodies to their baby after natural Covid-19 infection and secrete antibodies during lactation.

The United States is now vaccinating 2.5 million people per day and reached the 100 million dose milestone on March 19. At this rate, all adults who want it are on schedule to be vaccinated by the end of May. Pregnant patients need evidence-based, reliable, and actionable information as soon as possible to help make informed decisions about their pregnancies.

Scientists learn more each day to help find answers regarding the novel coronavirus’s effects on pregnant people, newborns, and Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Guideline and recommendations will continue to change and evolve as more data becomes available. Based on current research, we know most pregnant people who contract Covid-19 have excellent outcomes and have an increased risk of ICU admission and preterm labor. 

Pregnant and lactating people are eligible for any of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines, including the two messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and the single-dose vaccine from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson. The CDC states, “There is currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problem with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.”

To continue to monitor the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccinations, the CDC established the v-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry. Any pregnant person may choose to participate in the registry to help the world gain more knowledge and improve vaccine recommendations.

To join the V-safe pregnancy registry, click here.

Pregnant and lactating individuals are categorized as 1B in most states and1C in others. To find a Covid-19 vaccine near you, click here.

The post Baby Born With Protective Antibodies After Maternal Covid-19 Vaccination appeared first on Medika Life.