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SAINT & HEARTS 

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody and Immunity from Natural Infection and The Vaccine Study &
Household Exposure and Respiratory Virus Transmission and Immunity Study 

     In the HEARTS and SAINT study, we evaluated how well our bodies fight against COVID-19 by

quantifying serum antibodies and neutralization activity in three groups of individuals exposed to

the virus by getting sick, getting vaccinated, or both. We included 218 individuals who got an

infection without having had the vaccine, 143 individuals who got vaccinated but had never had

COVID-19, and 122 individuals who had been infected and also got vaccinated. We found that

those who had infection and vaccination showed highest antibody levels and neutralizing

activity.

     In another HEARTS and SAINT study, we quantified SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralizing

antibodies in the blood and nasopharyngeal swab samples of both children and adults. We

found that children following infection, vaccination, or both had higher levels of these antibodies

through 6 months compared to adults. Individuals who got the vaccine and had been infected

before produce higher levels of antibodies compared to those who only got infected at all ages.

From these studies, we demonstrate that COVID-19 vaccination in both newly infected and recovered individuals is supported to create the strongest immune protection against

SARS-CoV-2 infection in both children and adults.

 

     Mary is the parent of 5-year-old Audrey, who was recently infected with COVID-19. Mary is not sure if Audrey needs the COVID-19 vaccine, since she has already gotten the disease. In our research, we provide data about our immunity after COVID-19 infection and vaccination that

may help inform Mary’s decision to get Audrey vaccinated. We found that people with both infection and vaccination showed the highest antibody levels and neutralizing activity that could fight off the virus in all age groups. Children showed higher levels of these antibodies after infection, getting the vaccine, or both compared to adults. These results support COVID-19 vaccination in all people in order to provide the strongest protection against COVID-19.

     After getting the COVID-19 vaccine, our bodies produce antibodies that help protect us from the virus. In the SAINT study, we measured these antibodies and their ability to neutralize (or kill) the virus in the breast milk of 30 mothers before and after vaccination. We found these antibodies and their neutralizing ability were much higher after vaccination, peaking around 1 month, and then gradually decreasing. Pasteurization (heating the milk) reduced some types of antibodies (IgM and IgA), but the neutralizing activity and levels of another antibody (IgG) were similar between pasteurized and unpasteurized milk.

     In the SAINT and HEARTS study, we collected blood and human milk from 10 mothers before their COVID-19 vaccination, after their initial dose, and after their booster dose. We found that the antibodies (IgG and IgA) in human milk and their neutralizing activity, or ability to kill the virus, increased after the booster compared to the initial dose followed by a natural decline. These two studies highlight the importance of getting the full COVID-19 vaccination courses to protect both the mother and infant from COVID-19 infection.

     After getting the COVID-19 vaccine, our bodies produce antibodies that help protect us from the virus. In the SAINT study, we measured these antibodies and their ability to neutralize (or kill) the virus in the breast milk of 30 mothers before and after vaccination. We found these antibodies and their neutralizing ability were much higher after vaccination, peaking around 1 month, and then gradually decreasing. Pasteurization (heating the milk) reduced some types of antibodies (IgM and IgA), but the neutralizing activity and levels of another antibody (IgG) were similar between pasteurized and unpasteurized milk.

     In the SAINT and HEARTS study, we collected blood and human milk from 10 mothers before their COVID-19 vaccination, after their initial dose, and after their booster dose. We found that the antibodies (IgG and IgA) in human milk and their neutralizing activity, or ability to kill the virus, increased after the booster compared to the initial dose followed by a natural decline. These two studies highlight the importance of getting the full COVID-19 vaccination courses to protect both the mother and infant from COVID-19 infection.

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