KANSAS CITY, MO. – New research shows that pregnant and breastfeeding women who receive the COVID-19 vaccine can pass antibodies to their babies.
Nanette Smith is a nursing mother of four. She is also a leader of the Greater Kansas City La Leche League, a group that promotes breastfeeding. She tells me that she did her research before getting her first vaccine shot.
“The risk of me or my child going wrong with the vaccine is pretty small compared to the benefits of hopefully not getting a really bad case of COVID,” said Smith. “There really isn’t a lot of risk that they have found. Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, it’s pretty much the same. ”
A new study found that the side effects are similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women. The study tracked more than 100 women who were vaccinated. Most of the subjects were pregnant, some were breastfeeding, and others were neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. The study found antibodies in the placenta and breast milk of vaccinated mothers.
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Gynecologist Marc Parrish of the University of Kansas Health Systems said this could help protect the entire household.
“The majority of younger children and babies who test positive are inevitably asymptomatic,” Parrish said. “However, where it may be important, it reduces the risk of transmission to other family members who may become more susceptible to the virus.”
Parrish said the early research wasn’t surprising.
“As for these studies that are coming out, I would say that everyone should read them with some caution as they have not been peer-reviewed. But none of the data that has been made publicly available is surprising at all, ”said Dr. Parrish.
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Smith recommends mothers consult a doctor before choosing what works best.
“My husband has a lot of health professionals in his family,” said Smith. “We just talk about science all the time, and that just makes sense to me.” “Our bodies are so incredible. They are just amazing, like a drug for something to give your child before they’re even exposed. It’s just great. ”
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