Vaccinated mothers pass COVID-19 antibodies to breastfeeding infants

COVID-19 vaccination is approved for children 5 years and older, but younger children and babies are also susceptible to infection. A recent study, published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal, found that breastfeeding babies can receive COVID-19 antibodies from their vaccinated mothers, giving the babies passive immunity against the virus. The cohort study included 30 lactating women who were fully vaccinated with 2 doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine between January-April 2021. Women were enrolled from across the continental US, and a minimum of 10 or more women received each vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). The participants completed questionnaires assessing their demographics, lactation status, general health, previous COVID-19 infection history, type of vaccine received, timing of inoculation, and any maternal or infant adverse events. The women provided serial milk samples before vaccination, 2-3 weeks after their first dose, and 3 weeks after their second. Investigators collected dried blood spots from the mothers 19 days...