Mothers who were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 may transfer antibodies to their babies through breast milk, an official of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society said.

Covid-19 vaccination is recommended among breastfeeding women as this could protect them from the viral disease as well as their babies, said POGS member Dr. Maria Lorena Santos during an online briefing hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, March 23.

“Indeed, Covid-19 antibodies were detected in breast milk. Pero hindi ito basta makukuha. Kailangan fully vaccinated si mommy para makagawa siya ng antibody na maisasalin, mata-transfer (But the mother needs to be fully vaccinated so that she can make an antibody that can be transferred from the) sa breast milk to the baby,” said Santos.

Mothers who have recovered from Covid-19 can also produce antibodies, she said.

“If you had Covid-19 unintentionally— will also produce antibody enough to be transferred to the mother’s milk to the baby,” she said.

“But between the antibody produced through natural infection and antibody produced through vaccination, mas mataas po ang level ng antibody (the level of antibody is higher) if you got it from vaccination,” she noted.

Santos said that Covid-19 vaccination is also recommended for pregnant women.

“There is no evidence of adverse maternal or fetal effects from vaccinating pregnant individuals with the Covid-19 vaccine,” she said.

It is also recommended for them to get the booster shot, said Santos.

“All individuals aged 18 years and older who received an initial Covid-19 vaccine or vaccine series should receive a single booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine at least three months from their second vaccine dose,” she said.