Both mother and child benefit when pregnant women are given a COVID-19 jab (Image: Getty Images)

       Both mother and child benefit when pregnant women are given a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine or booster jab.

       This is the conclusion of experts from the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium, who studied 240 pregnant volunteers jabbed between July 2021 and January 2022.

       Of the subjects, 167 received the two-dose primary series of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, while the remaining 73 had been given a single boosters dose, as was recommended at the time.

       The researchers analyzed samples of each participant’s blood both before and after the jab, as well as at the time of birth.

       After delivery, the team also analyzed their “cord blood” — the blood that remains in both the placenta and the umbilical cord following birth.

       READ MORE: Professor draws attention to lesser-known sign in the legs of Long Covid [LATEST]

       The team said: ‘infant protection can be enhanced with booster vaccination during pregnancy’ (Image: Getty Images)

       The researchers found that vaccination during pregnancy resulted in antibodies in the recipient against both the D614G variant — which both vaccines were specifically designed to protect against — as well as the Delta and Omicron subvariants.

       These antibodies, the team said, were also found to have effectively processed the placenta into each patient’s cord blood.

       This means that the newborns likely had a degree of protection from the COVID-19 variants in question immediately afterbirth.

       This, the team said, is a “critical time” in which babies are vulnerable to severe infection with coronavirus but are too young to be vaccinated.

       DON'T MISS:

       Warning as Disease X could lead to 'civil unrest and food shortages'

       The pretty island still plagued by Covid as cats given drugs to stop the spread

       Expert outlines signs new Covid variant Eris could be 'more cause for concern'

       An infographic on Covid symptoms vs those of cold and the flu (Image: Daily Express US)

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       Trending

       As with participants given a two-dose primary vaccination series, those given booster jabs during pregnancy were found to have substantially more antibodies against COVID-19, both in their blood and in their cord blood.

       The researchers said: “Our study findings demonstrate that both maternal and infant protection can be enhanced with booster vaccination during pregnancy.”

       Future studies, the team suggested, might determine the best time during pregnancy for vaccination/booster to confer protection to parent and child.

       The researchers are also looking to expand their investigation by measuring SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in breast milk and in infants’ blood in the year following birth.

       The full findings of the study were published in the journal Vaccine.

       Follow our social media accounts on https://www.facebook.com/ExpressUSNews and @ExpressUSNews

       Related articles The pretty island still plagued by Covid as cats given drugs to stop the spread Warning as Disease X could lead to 'civil unrest and food shortages' The UK towns with the most Covid cases as new variant Eris becomes dominant Professor draws attention to lesser-known sign in the legs of Long Covid Prince Harry back in saddle for charity polo match in Singapore on solo trip