Serum and breastmilk SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies following BNT162b2 vaccine: Prolonged protection from SARS-CoV-2 in newborns and older children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vaccination is the best strategy to contrast coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).We aimed to determine antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in breastmilk and serum of mothers vaccinated with mRNA vaccine.

Methods

this prospective study included 18 lactating women vaccinated with BNT162b2 vaccine. Serum and breastmilk were collected before the first dose (T0), at second dose (T1), 3 weeks (T2) and 6 months later (T3). Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) IgG and IgA were measured by a semi-quantitative ELISA, secretory antibody (s) IgG and IgA in breastmilk by a quantitative analysis.

Results

we detected serum anti-S IgG and IgA in all women after vaccination. Specific IgG and IgA were higher at T1, T2 and T3 compared to T0 (p<0.0001). Higher antibody levels were observed at T2, lower values were observed at T3 vs T2 (p=0.007). After six months, all patients had serum IgG but 3 out of 18 (16%) had serum IgA. In breastmilk, sIgA were present at T1 and T2 and decreased after six months at T3 (p=0.002). Breastmilk sIgG levels increased at T1 and T2 and peaked at T3 (p=0.008).

Conclusion

secretory antibodies were transmitted through breastmilk until 6 months after anti COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Protection of the newborn through breastfeeding need to be addressed.

SUBMITTER: Ricciardi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9254442 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature