Prof. Andrea Henle receives Young Investigator Award for COVID-19 research

Professor Andrea Henle was awarded an “American Association of Immunologists Young Investigator Award” at the 50th Autumn Immunology Conference in Chicago, Ill.

The award was for her research presentation: “Increase in SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG Antibodies in Human Milk from Lactating Women Following the COVID-19 Booster Vaccination,” which was also recently published in the Journal of Human Lactation.

Prof. Henle investigated the effect of the COVID-19 booster vaccination on antibody levels in human milk. She discovered that two classes of antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 are significantly increased in human milk after the booster compared to the antibody levels in milk before the booster. These antibodies in human milk may help protect infants against COVID-19. This study suggests that pregnant or lactating women who are booster-eligible may wish to consider the booster vaccination for potential protection for their infants

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Biology Department