Vaccination of preterm infants

Due to the reduced transfer of maternal IgG antibodies and possible comorbidities, preterm infants are at increased risk of contracting an infectious disease with a complicated course which could potentially be prevented by vaccination. Therefore, early vaccination is necessary, although the question of optimal timing, safety and effectiveness of vaccinations in this particular population remain open. Most advisory boards, such as the permanent vaccination commission at the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) recommend starting vaccinations in the chronological, non-corrected age of 8 weeks. The important objective to provide preterm infants with effective early prophylaxis by means of vaccination is often contracted by a delay in the start of vaccination. According to the literature, pre-term infants are usually able to build adequate immunity following vaccination; however, this can vary depending on gestational age and chronic comorbidities. With regard to vaccine safety, careful attention should be paid to the possible onset of apnoea and bradycardia in very small pre-term infants. Those high risk infants usually necessitate monitoring, in particular following the first vaccination.