Breastfeeding can lead to greater antibody responses to which types of vaccines?

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Breastfeeding provides infants with a rich source of antibodies and immunoglobulins, particularly immunoglobulin A (IgA), which plays a crucial role in immune defense. Studies have shown that breastfeeding enhances the immune response to vaccines across different types, including both parenteral (injected) and oral vaccines.

When an infant is breastfed, the maternal antibodies present in breast milk can help to prime the infant's immune system, potentially leading to a more robust antibody response when the infant receives vaccinations. This response can occur because maternal antibodies in the breast milk can interact with the vaccine antigens, enhancing the infant's immunological recognition and response.

Oral vaccines, such as the live attenuated rotavirus vaccine, can also benefit from breastfeeding. The presence of live viruses in the vaccine may be enhanced by the maternal antibodies found in breast milk, contributing to the development of a protective immune response.

Thus, breastfeeding supports a stronger immune response not just to one specific type of vaccine but to both parenteral and oral vaccines, hence affirming that the correct answer is that breastfeeding can lead to greater antibody responses to both types of vaccines.

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