Scientists from the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan managed to obtain milk with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 by vaccinating cows and goats against the coronavirus.
Researchers hope that drinking this milk will protect the population at least in part from COVID-19
Researchers have observed that women who have been vaccinated or recover from COVID-19 carry in their breast milk antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and suggested that the milk of cows and goats vaccinated against COVID-19 could be used to immunize the population.
The authors of the work vaccinated goats and cows with the human-specific ZF-UZ-VAC2001 vaccine three times. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in serum 2 weeks after the first vaccination.
Experiments on cell cultures showed that the antibodies successfully neutralized SARS-CoV-2 – in blood serum, the efficiency reached 100%, in milk – 40%.
The authors concluded, “The first results of experimental testing showed that the human ZF-UZ-VAC2001 vaccine can be safely used to vaccinate domestic farm animals in order to obtain biologically active milk and whey containing neutralizing antibodies specific against SARS-CoV-2.” They hope that milk produced in this way can be used for mass immunization of the population.
In addition, antibodies are preserved after pasteurization, which makes it possible to prepare fortified milk in large quantities.
