With the hasty nature of the development, research and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, a demographic eagerly awaits more information on the efficacy of the injection, pregnant and lactating people. Since pregnancy is definitely a medical condition that leaves a person vulnerable (and full of fear) even in the best of circumstances, the nature of a global pandemic and a respiratory disease that can be incredibly dangerous for mother and baby only makes things worse.
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However, new research on the vaccine is bringing good news for pregnant people and those who love them. A new study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) on Thursday, found “robust humoral immunity” in pregnant and lactating people, similar to what they saw in non-pregnant people. Likewise, the study also found evidence that vaccinated pregnant people pass on antibodies and induce immunity in newborns. Researchers were also able to gain some insight into the differences between the immunity after the second dose of Pfizer and Moderna, finding that the levels of antibodies after the second dose of Moderna were higher in pregnant and lactating people than those of Pfizer.
According to the study, “Vaccination-induced immune responses were significantly greater than the response to natural infection. Immune transmission to neonates was via placenta and breast milk. This study provides the first data from a large cohort on the generation of maternal antibodies in response to COVID-19 vaccination, compares vaccination-generated immunity with that of natural infection during pregnancy and suggests that vaccination of pregnant and lactating women is robust. can confer maternal and neonatal immunity. . “
President-elect of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Dr. Iffath Hoskins told NBC News the data results of the investigation were “very reassuring.”
“What this study shows us is that the mother has a strong response,” said Hoskins. “Her body wakes up … and makes antibodies against the shot that just happened, the coronavirus vaccine.”
Galit Alter, co-senior author of the study, said the Harvard Gazette that the study “provides clear evidence that the COVID vaccines can induce immunity that will protect infants” and adds that they hope that these results will encourage vaccine developers to prioritize and collect data on pregnant and lactating people. in the studies they often overlook.
“The potential of rational vaccine design to bring about better outcomes for mothers and infants is limitless, but developers must realize that pregnancy is a distinct immunological state, where two lives can be saved simultaneously with a potent vaccine,” said Alter. “We look forward to studying all vaccine platforms during pregnancy as they become available.”
While there is still much to learn about the long-term effects of these vaccines, the more data we have on fragile demographics, the better equipped we are to end the pandemic.
Before you go, check out our bed rest supplies for pregnant people:
