Breastmilk from vaccinated mums passes antibodies to babies

A Townsville University Hospital obstetrician and mum has urged pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with new research finding that breastmilk from immunised mothers contained antibodies that neutralised the virus.

Dr Natasha Frost didn’t hesitate to line up for the jab at work as soon as the vaccine became recommended during her pregnancy with now five-month-old baby Joshua.

Now, as she breastfeeds her baby boy, she knows she is passing on her own protective antibodies to her son.

"It’s a very pleasing research finding and one that adds to the growing list of reasons for pregnant women to get the vaccine.”

Townsville University Hospital neonatologist Professor Yoga Kandasamy said the results from the research, recently published in the journal ‘Obstetrics and Gynecology’, were very promising.

"Antibodies in breastmilk of vaccinated mothers have the ability to provide passive immunity to their babies," he said.

"This means the babies get the benefit of vaccination against COVID-19 indirectly through their mother’s milk."

Dr Frost said as both a doctor and mother she was very keen to promote vaccination among pregnant women.

"Once the vaccine was approved and advised for pregnant women in Australia, I had it straight away," she said.

"There was a lot of data coming out overseas where large numbers of pregnant women were being vaccinated, particularly in the United States, and it was showing a good safety profile while protecting pregnant women from severe disease."

Dr Frost said the availability of the vaccine was a relief to her as a mother and a physician.

"It can sometimes be difficult to separate your mum hat from your doctor hat, but it became clear that what was best for my patients was also right for me," she said.

Dr Frost said she had seen many pregnant women hesitant about the vaccine.

"The advice to pregnant women has moved quickly, and this journey has created a sense of unease for some," she said.

"We know that pregnant women and unborn babies are at greater risk of complications from COVID-19 infection, and vaccination is one of the important ways to protect both of them."