Antigens through flu vaccines to expecting mothers get transferred to the baby

Boffins have found that antigens introduced to expecting mothers through flu vaccines are transferred to the baby, that may prepare it to strengthen its immune system to infections.

London, June 2 : Boffins have found that antigens introduced to expecting mothers through flu vaccines are transferred to the baby, that may prepare it to strengthen its immune system to infections.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Rachel Miller at Columbia University, New York.

As part of the study, scientists monitored umbilical-cord blood from babies whose mums were given the flu vaccine during second or third trimester.

The researchers screened umbilical-cord blood from babies born to women who'd been vaccinated against the flu during their second or third trimester. Researchers used a fluorescent molecule that imitated the antigen, and lighted up when the appropriate immune cell sticks to it, to examine the baby's immune system.

The study found that about one third babies produced antibodies and T cells against the flu virus.

According to immunologist William Burlingham of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the study shows that a baby's immune system is well developed.

"This indicates that the baby's got a pretty well-developed immune system by the time it's born," Nature quoted Burlingham, as saying.

Earlier, the foetal immune system was thought weak as newborn babies get infection very quickly.

"This says that the antigens introduced to the mother through vaccination are transferred to baby, and the baby's immune system is responding. There's the potential here that these babies could have some useful immunity," Burlingham said.

The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation1.

ANI