By: Heather K. Beasley, M.S.
As science continually progresses, we learn more and more about the immune system. Dr. Grace Aldrovandi, a physician-scientist at UCLA was quoted in an article in The Scientist https://www.the-scientist.com/news-analysis/how-do-infant-immune-systems-learn-to-tolerate-gut-bacteria-30430 where she explains the newly defined role of the immune system in infants rather than what was previously known.
“When I went to medical school, I learned that babies had immature, wimpy immune systems. We now realize that in fact, they have very sophisticated immune systems, they’re just programmed in a different way. “
-Grace Aldrovandi, UCLA.
The newborn babe has a complex and sophisticated immune system that is not yet primmed. This immaturity, if you will, is well compensated by the mother’s breast milk. In human breast milk, besides the perfect amount of nutrients, is immunologic factors. Immunologic is a scientific word that describes how parts of our immune system such as antibodies, react to threats like viruses. When I’m referring to immunologic factors in the next sections I am specifically referring to antibodies- the proteins that recognize and respond to the threat.
We previously discussed breastfeeding and the associated benefits. https://www.themotherhoodexperiment.com/benefits-of-breastfeeding-for-baby/. To go a step further, passive immunity refers to immunity passed from one human to another. In this case, passive immunity refers to the antibodies that are passed to the baby through breast milk https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-types.htm. A newborn baby also receives passive immunity through the placenta (the organ that nourishes the baby in utero). Besides the amazing nutrition provided to the baby through breastmilk, a breastfeeding mom helps her baby by priming the baby’s immune systems with all types of antibodies. For the record, there are 5 classes of antibodies- IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE.
Now, there is so much misinformation about the COVID-29 vaccine. To be clear, The American College of Gyneocologists (ACOG) “recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on ACIP-recommended priority groups.” https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19.
I made the choice to receive the vaccine. The enrollment for the clinical trials is done for the vaccines; however, we dint have the data thus far for the doses for babies/toddlers/children. I made the informed decision, to receive the vaccine. I received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech mRNA vaccine. As a scientist, I looked at the data for myself. I am months from completing my Ph.D. I have a Masters of Science in Biology, and therefore I feel confident that I have the expertise to accurately analyze and peruse the data to make my decision.
I don’t know how long it will take for the vaccine to be approved for babies/toddlers/children and I want my daughter to have the antibodies. As a scientist, I looked at the data, and it is very strong and convincing for preventing severe symptoms. The Pfizer-BioNtech is 95% effective in preventing severe symptoms.https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577 I’ll take it! As a scientist, I am proud to have been a part of this scientific breakthrough!
Have you received the COVID-19 vaccine? Are you going to get the vaccine? Are you like heck NO?! Are you on the fence about the vaccine? Let me know below!