Breast milk of mothers who received COVID-19 vaccine contains antibodies that fight illness

UF researchers found that breast milk of lactating mothers vaccinated against COVID-19 contains a significant supply of antibodies that may help protect nursing infants from the illness. 

When babies are born, their immune systems are underdeveloped, making it hard for them to fight infections on their own. They are also often too young to respond adequately to certain types of vaccines, said Josef Neu, M.D., one of the study’s co-authors and a professor in the College of Medicine’s department of pediatrics, division of neonatology. During this vulnerable period, breast milk allows nursing mothers to provide infants with “passive immunity,” Neu explained. 

Learn more.