Maternal vaccination help protect newborns from COVID-19 associated hospitalization
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on September 9th, 2022
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 vaccination should only be administered to those who are older than 6 months old. However, newborns and infants are at a high risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that maternal vaccination produces a protective effect for newborns.
The case-control study included 537 infants below the age of 6 months that had been admitted to hospitals during both the Delta and Omicron wave. These case infants were appropriately matched with 512 control infants. The study found that maternal vaccination reduces the risk of non-ICU hospitalization by 47%. The benefit of maternal immunity helps prevent severe diseases, as evident in the 70% effectiveness at preventing ICU admission. The timing of maternal vaccination has an influence on the protection of the infants. Earlier immunization, which happens during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, is only effective at preventing 38% of hospitalization. Whereas, the effectiveness is 69% for infants with mothers who were vaccinated after the 20th week of pregnancy.
These findings are consistent with previous studies. Following vaccination, antibodies can be detected in the umbilical cord blood and breast milk; thus, the protective effect can be transferred to the uterus/infant. Thus, with solid evidence, public health agencies should maximize their effort in educating and promoting the benefit of vaccination for expecting mothers.
The case-control study included 537 infants below the age of 6 months that had been admitted to hospitals during both the Delta and Omicron wave. These case infants were appropriately matched with 512 control infants. The study found that maternal vaccination reduces the risk of non-ICU hospitalization by 47%. The benefit of maternal immunity helps prevent severe diseases, as evident in the 70% effectiveness at preventing ICU admission. The timing of maternal vaccination has an influence on the protection of the infants. Earlier immunization, which happens during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, is only effective at preventing 38% of hospitalization. Whereas, the effectiveness is 69% for infants with mothers who were vaccinated after the 20th week of pregnancy.
These findings are consistent with previous studies. Following vaccination, antibodies can be detected in the umbilical cord blood and breast milk; thus, the protective effect can be transferred to the uterus/infant. Thus, with solid evidence, public health agencies should maximize their effort in educating and promoting the benefit of vaccination for expecting mothers.