VACCINATION IN PREMATURE NEWBORNS
Premature newborns constitute a special category and a separate chapter of pediatrics in themselves.
Premature newborns face a high risk of infections due to the immature immune system they have due to prematurity.
The more premature the newborn, the more immature his immune system is.
It is particularly important that the maturation of the immune system that occurs with the child’s exposure to environmental antigens occurs just as quickly in premature as in full-term newborns.
Thus, premature babies should begin vaccinations at the age of 2 months (from birth) regardless of the months of gestation. The acellular pertussis vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should be given as early as possible, i.e. at the age of 2-3 months.
The vaccination schedule for premature infants is the same as for full-term infants.
The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine should not be considered when given at birth and the child’s weight is below 2 kg. It is emphasized that in any case, the environment of premature newborns should also be vaccinated.
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