COVID-19 booster vaccination during pregnancy enhances maternal binding and neutralizing antibody responses and transplacental antibody transfer to the newborn (DMID 21-0004)
Authors: Munoz Flor M. , Posavad Christine M. , Richardson Barbra A. , Badell Martina L. , Bunge Katherine , Mulligan Mark J. , Parameswaran Lalitha , Kelly Clifton , Olsen-Chen Courtney , Novak Richard M. , Brady Rebecca C. , Pasetti Marcela , DeFranco Emily , Gerber Jeffrey S. , Shriver Mallory , Suthar Mehul S. , Moore Kathryn , Coler Rhea , Berube Bryan , Kim So Hee , Piper Jeanna M. , Miller Ashley , Cardemil Cristina , Neuzil Kathleen M. , Beigi Richard ,   DMID Study Group
Published: June 2022

Importance

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended during pregnancy for the protection of the mother. Little is known about the immune response to booster vaccinations during pregnancy.

Objective

To measure immune responses to COVID-19 primary and booster mRNA vaccination during pregnancy and transplacental antibody transfer to the newborn.

Design

Prospective cohort study of pregnant participants enrolled from July 2021 to January 2022, with follow up through and up to 12 months after delivery.

Setting

Multicenter study conducted at 9 academic sites.

Participants

Pregnant participants who received COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and their newborns.

Exposure(s)

Primary or booster COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during pregnancy.

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

SARS-CoV-2 binding and neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers after primary or booster COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during pregnancy and antibody transfer to the newborn. Immune responses were compared between primary and booster vaccine recipients in maternal sera at delivery and in cord blood, after adjusting for days since last vaccination.

Results

In this interim analysis, 167 participants received a primary 2-dose series and 73 received a booster dose of mRNA vaccine during pregnancy. Booster vaccination resulted in significantly higher binding and nAb titers, including to the Omicron BA.1 variant, in maternal serum at delivery and cord blood compared to a primary 2-dose series (range 0.55 to 0.88 log10 higher, p<0.0001 for all comparisons). Although levels were significantly lower than to the prototypical D614G variant, nAb to Omicron were present at delivery in 9% (GMT ID50 12.7) of Pfizer and 22% (GMT ID50 14.7) of Moderna recipients, and in 73% (GMT ID50 60.2) of boosted participants (p<0.0001). Transplacental antibody transfer was efficient regardless of vaccination regimen (median transfer ratio range: 1.55-1.77 for binding IgG and 1.00-1.78 for nAb).

Conclusions and Relevance

COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during pregnancy elicited robust immune responses in mothers and efficient transplacental antibody transfer to the newborn. A booster dose during pregnancy significantly increased maternal and cord blood antibody levels, including against Omicron.

Findings support continued use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, including booster doses.

Trial Registration

clinical trials.gov; Registration Number: NCT05031468; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05031468

Key Points

Question

What is the immune response after COVID-19 booster vaccination during pregnancy and how does receipt of a booster dose impact transplacental antibody transfer to the newborn?

Findings

Receipt of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines during pregnancy elicited robust binding and neutralizing antibody responses in the mother and in the newborn. Booster vaccination during pregnancy elicited significantly higher antibody levels in mothers at delivery and cord blood than 2-dose vaccination, including against the Omicron BA.1 variant.

Meaning

COVID-19 vaccines, especially booster doses, should continue to be strongly recommended during pregnancy.