Scientists from the University of Florida have shown additional evidence that breast milk from women vaccinated against COVID-19 provides protection for infants who are ineligible for the vaccine because of their age. Research published Journal of Perinatology.
37 mothers and 25 infants were included in the study. The scientists analyzed the women’s breast milk and children’s stool samples. The study also measured and tested antibodies found in mothers’ plasma and breast milk shortly after and six months after vaccination.
Using a method called the neutralization test, the researchers showed that antibodies found in the infants’ stools provided protection against the virus. Researchers say that although the virus that causes COVID-19 mainly affects the lungs, it can also enter the intestines, so it is important to find antibodies there. They also noted that antibodies from breast milk can form a protective coating in the mouths and gastrointestinal tracts of infants.
A limitation of the study was the small number of participants. It is also not yet known whether infants fed milk with antibodies have a lower risk of infection. An earlier study in 2021 showed that the breast milk of vaccinated women contained antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. However, until now it was unknown whether these antibodies passed through the child’s gastrointestinal tract and provided protection against the virus.
Source: Gazeta
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