High SARS-CoV-2 protein S antibody titers in cord blood after COVID-19
vaccination during pregnancy: preliminary results
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has given
rise to the need to develop a vaccine as quickly as possible. As
pregnant women are at increased risk of contracting severe COVID-19,
with higher mortality, it is essential to assess the safety of the
vaccines administered during pregnancy. Methods The aim of this study
was to determine the titer of specific maternal and cord antibodies
against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 S protein after
antenatal vaccination. The secondary objective was to evaluate the ratio
of the umbilical cord to the maternal antibody titers. Patients included
in the study were enrolled after undergoing voluntary vaccination
against COVID-19 during pregnancy at different weeks of gestation. Their
decision concerning vaccination was independent of the decision to
participate in the present study. All patients analyzed in our initial
study were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Results
The results of the current study document high anti-S total antibody
titers in cord serum at birth in all mother-infant pairs analyzed.
Conclusions Our study suggests that maternal immunization may provide
neonatal protection through transplacental transfer of antibodies.