What to know about vaccinations for premature babies?

Parents need to vaccinate premature babies at 2 months of age like any other full term baby because their baby is at high risk of infection.

While some other milestones may delay progress for premature babies, the baby's immunization should be at the right time. Vaccination for premature babies reduces the risk of serious illness. If you delay strengthening your baby's immune system, you could cause them health problems.

The appropriate age to vaccinate premature babies

As a rule, children should be scheduled for immunization according to the age that is calculated from the date of birth. Preterm infants are able to respond well to vaccines to produce antibodies to the diseases for which they have been vaccinated. In addition, there are special recommendations for preterm infants when getting the hepatitis B vaccine. In addition, premature babies at risk should be vaccinated against the RSV respiratory syncytial virus.

Why should vaccinate premature babies at the right time?

Vaccine is one of the most important medical achievements, helping to prevent many diseases that can affect children. In addition, care should be taken to vaccinate premature babies because:

Preventing the disease will be easier: Premature babies are the target of many dangerous diseases such as whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, flu ... However, you can protect your baby from these diseases by how to get your baby vaccinated

Vaccines work well even in premature babies: Although the immune system is still immature, studies show that most vaccines work very well in premature babies. Some babies born very early or needing steroids in incubators may need some extra booster doses to protect their long-term health.

Vaccination for premature babies is safe: In fact, if you get your baby vaccinated on time, your baby will have a reduced risk of vaccine side effects compared with term babies. In addition, babies still in incubators who were first vaccinated about 2 months after birth are more likely to experience sleep apnea. Therefore, you need to be closely watched to prevent a bad situation. However, you should also not ignore the consideration of vaccination for your baby.

First vaccination for premature babies

If your baby is in hospital at 2 months of age, he or she will still be able to get the following four vaccines:

Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and hepatitis B

Get vaccinated to prevent pneumococcal infection

Take the vaccine against rotavirus

Vaccination to prevent meningitis B.

1. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B vaccination consists of 3 times and the first dose is usually given immediately after birth and will be divided into 2 cases:

The mother of a premature baby is infected with hepatitis B

You should vaccinate premature babies right after birth to prevent transmission. This vaccine does not work well in infants weighing less than 2kg at birth. So the doctor can wait until the baby has reached the prescribed weight for the first injection.

In addition, the UK Department of Health has also suggested the use of a passive vaccine (anti-virus specific antibody - HBIG) along with an active anti-hepatitis B vaccine (HBV). An active vaccine (HBV) administered immediately after birth does not count towards the vaccination schedule, but should begin with a series of three injections when the baby reaches 2 kg or 1 month of age.

The mother of a premature baby is not infected with hepatitis B

Premature babies should be vaccinated for the first time just before discharge or when they reach 2kg or up to 1 month of age depending on condition.

Preterm infants discharged before 1 month of age or reaching 2 kilograms of body weight can start a 3-shot series of hepatitis B vaccinations when they are about to go home as long as their health is developing well and their weight is steadily increasing. . The first 2 doses are 1 month apart and the booster dose is given about 5 months apart from the second.

2. RSV passive vaccine

RSV virus (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common cause of upper respiratory tract disease in infants. By age two, most babies are infected with the virus. In premature babies, children with severe heart and lung disease, the risk of serious illness from the virus as well as complications of development is higher.

The vaccine is designed to protect premature babies from the range of infection by making available antibodies that the baby's body does not need to make. The immunization is done during the first 1 or 2 years. In addition, since you vaccinate your baby passively without stimulating the immune system to actively produce antibodies, repeat vaccinations when the virus is at risk of spreading.

3. BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette Guerin)

This vaccine is used in a number of countries to prevent tuberculosis and is usually given shortly after birth. The vaccine will not work as well in babies born before 34 weeks. Therefore, the child will have to wait until the correct gestational age can be vaccinated.

4. Rotavirus

The oral administration of rotavirus should be taken strictly according to schedule. The first dose should be administered to healthy babies 6-14 weeks of age. Healthy premature babies 32 weeks of age and older should be vaccinated promptly, but babies born prematurely before this time may not be immunized at the correct age.

When should not vaccinate premature babies?

Little angels should not be vaccinated if they encounter one of these cases:

Severe allergic reaction to previous doses of vaccine

Anaphylaxis with vaccine antibiotics (neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin)

Premature babies may not be vaccinated if their immune systems are suppressed because they are receiving treatment for organ transplantation or cancer.

Side effects of vaccinations

Whether injected into the child's thigh or anywhere on the child's body, some side effects can appear:

Redness of the skin

Mild pain

Mild swelling.

Some babies may have a mild fever. If you have these symptoms, you should cool down your baby by:

Give your baby plenty of fluids or porridge.

Do not wrap too many blankets or wear too many clothes on the child

Give your child a dose of paracetamol that is suitable for babies (consult your doctor before use).

You can refer to the full expanded vaccination schedule for babies here .