Oral and intranasal Ad5 influenza vaccination induces hemagglutinin-specific and influenza neutralizing antibodies in serum and milk of pregnant and lactating ferrets

Abstract Pregnant women and young children are at increased risk for severe influenza infection. While there intramuscular (IM) inactivated vaccines available to pregnant individuals, IM immunization may not be an ideal route boost neutralizing antibodies in breastmilk (BM). Therefore, innovative vaccine strategies needed increase BM that promote neonatal protection against influenza. We hypothesize maternal mucosal stimulates a protective influenza-specific antibody response, by generating both blood BM. To test this, we immunized lactating ferrets two weeks prepartum postpartum with H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA) adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) via oral or intranasal routes. detected HA-specific IgG dam serum IgA secreted milk after ELISA chemiluminescence assays. demonstrated from intranasally dams neutralized virus vitro. Additionally, ferret kits born intanasally had circulation 5–6 of life. These preclinical data led the announcement Vaxart, Inc. they will their tablet human mothers determine if vaccination induces antibodies. Future work includes using our model relationship between quantity function An easy-to-deliver boosts systemic maternal-neonatal dyad is strategy these vulnerable populations. Bill Melinda Gates Foundation grant INV-22595D