May 14, 2021

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 MRNA Vaccines in Pregnant and Lactating Women

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Vaccines and Immunity

Keywords (Tags): vaccine

• A small (N=46) study of pregnant and lactating persons found that mRNA vaccines produced binding, neutralizing, and functional non-neutralizing antibody responses as well as CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses. Additionally, binding and neutralizing antibodies were also detectable in cord blood, suggesting placental transfer of maternal antibodies and conferral of immunity to infants. Post-vaccination in vitro challenge with variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 demonstrated reduced serum neutralizing antibody titers; however, T-cell responses were preserved against both variants. The authors suggest further studies are needed to confirm these results given the small sample size.

Collier et al. (May 13, 2021). Immunogenicity of COVID-19 MRNA Vaccines in Pregnant and Lactating Women. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.7563