Los Angeles:
Researchers have identified no proof for the presence of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in human breast milk in a smaller study, suggesting that the mRNA preventives are protected for the duration of lactation.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, gives the initially direct information of vaccine security for the duration of breastfeeding and could allay issues amongst these who have declined vaccination or discontinued breastfeeding due to concern that vaccination may alter human milk.
The researchers at University of California, San Francisco (USCF) in the US analysed the breast milk of seven girls following they received the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, and identified no trace of the preventives.
Previous analysis has demonstrated that vaccines with mRNA inhibit transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding persons be vaccinated, the researchers noted.
According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, there is small danger of vaccine nanoparticles or mRNA getting into breast tissue or becoming transferred to milk, which theoretically could have an effect on infant immunity, they added.
“The results strengthen current recommendations that the mRNA vaccines are safe in lactation, and that lactating individuals who receive the COVID vaccine should not stop breastfeeding,” mentioned study corresponding author Stephanie L Gaw, an assistant professor at UCSF.
“We didn’t detect the vaccine associated mRNA in any of the milk samples tested,” mentioned study lead author Yarden Golan, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF.
The study, performed from December 2020 to February 2021, delivers an experimental proof with regards to the security of the use of mRNA-based vaccines for the duration of lactation.
The mothers’ mean age in the study was 37.8 years and their children ranged in age from one month to 3 years.
Milk samples have been collected prior to vaccination and at numerous occasions up to 48 hours following vaccination.
Researchers identified that none of the samples showed detectable levels of vaccine mRNA in any element of the milk.
The study was restricted by the smaller sample size, the researchers noted, adding that additional clinical information from bigger populations have been required to much better estimate the impact of the vaccines on lactation outcomes.
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