How maternal vaccination affects newborns' protection against whooping cough
Official title: Maternal vaccination impacts on neonatal susceptibility and response to Bordetella pertussis
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11057824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting vaccinated during pregnancy can help protect newborns from whooping cough by passing on antibodies from moms to babies, making sure they are safer in those important first weeks of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | November 14, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $212,265 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI182884-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women, particularly those in their second and third trimesters, who are considering vaccination against whooping cough.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have already given birth may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal vaccination on the susceptibility and immune response of newborns to Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria that causes whooping cough. It aims to understand how antibodies transferred from vaccinated mothers can protect their infants during the critical early weeks of life when they are most vulnerable. The study will explore the effectiveness of maternal antibodies in preventing infection and transmission of whooping cough, addressing gaps in current vaccination strategies. By examining the relationship between maternal vaccination and neonatal immunity, the research seeks to provide insights that could enhance protection for newborns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccination strategies that better protect newborns from whooping cough.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in maternal vaccination, this specific approach to understanding antibody transfer and its effects on newborns is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harvill, Eric T — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Harvill, Eric T
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.