Maternal immunization with distinct influenza vaccine platforms elicits unique antibody profiles that impact the protection of offspring

Pregnant women and infants are considered high-risk groups for increased influenza disease severity.

While influenza virus vaccines are recommended during pregnancy, infants cannot be vaccinated until at least six months of age.

Passive transfer of maternal antibodies (matAbs) becomes vital for the infant’s protection.

Here, we employed an ultrasound-based timed-pregnancy murine model and examined matAb responses to distinct influenza vaccine platforms and influenza A virus (IAV) infection in dams and their offspring.

We demonstrate vaccinating dams with a live-attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccine or recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) proteins administered with adjuvant resulted in enhanced and long-lasting immunity and protection from influenza in offspring.

In contrast, a trivalent split-inactivated vaccine (TIV) afforded limited protection in our model.

By cross-fostering pups, we show the timing of antibody transfer from vaccinated dams to their offspring (prenatal versus postnatal) can shape the antibody profile depending on the vaccine platform.

Our studies provide information on how distinct influenza vaccines lead to immunogenicity and efficacy during pregnancy, impact the protection of their offspring, and detail roles for IgG1 and IgG2c in the development of vaccine administration during pregnancy that stimulate and measure expression of both antibody subclasses.