High antibody levels in cord blood from pregnant women vaccinated against COVID-19

COVID‐19 and novel mRNA vaccines in pregnancy: an updated literature review

“…All but one of the subjects received both doses of their mRNA vaccines prior to delivery. The neonate born to the woman who received only one dose was still positive for anti‐S IgG 32 . This study provides support for transplacental antibody transfer following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination during pregnancy with the high levels of anti‐S antibodies demonstrated.…”

“…This study provides support for transplacental antibody transfer following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination during pregnancy with the high levels of anti‐S antibodies demonstrated. Given the combination of positive anti‐S IgG and negative anti‐N IgG (antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein that is only present following natural infection), the neonatal antibodies were secondary to vertical transfer of antibodies from maternal vaccination rather than natural infection 32 …”

Effectiveness of Maternal Vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine During Pregnancy Against COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization in Infants Aged <6 Months — 17 States, July 2021–January 2022

“…COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective when administered during pregnancy (9,10). Receipt of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is associated with detectable maternal antibodies in maternal sera at delivery, breast milk, and infant sera indicating transfer of maternal antibodies (3)(4)(5). The higher VE point estimates among infants born to women vaccinated later in pregnancy are consistent with the possibility of transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2specific antibodies that might provide protection to infants.…”

“…Evidence from other vaccine-preventable diseases suggests that maternal immunization can provide protection to infants, especially during the high-risk first 6 months of life, through passive transplacental antibody transfer (2). Recent studies of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy suggest the possibility of transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies that might provide protection to infants (3)(4)(5); however, no epidemiologic evidence currently exists for the protective benefits of maternal immunization during pregnancy against COVID-19 in infants. The Overcoming COVID-19 network conducted a test-negative, case-control study at 20 pediatric hospitals in 17 states during July 1, 2021-January 17, 2022, to assess effectiveness of maternal completion of a 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series during pregnancy against COVID-19 hospitalization in infants.…”

COVID-19 and Pregnancy

“…SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were seen in umbilical cord blood and breast milk after vaccination with mRNA vaccines during pregnancy in several studies, suggesting that maternal vaccination might provide some protection to the infant. 31 , 34 , 43 , 44 , 45 In one study, infants whose mothers had a longer time period between vaccination and delivery and who had received both doses of the vaccine had higher levels of IgG antibodies. In three infants (one set of twins) who did not have IgG in umbilical cord blood, mothers were vaccinated less than 3 weeks before delivery.…”