Preterm (PT) infants are at increased risk of experiencing complications of vaccine-preventable diseases but are less likely to receive immunizations on time. Medically stable PT and low birth weight (LBW) infants should receive full doses of diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, poliovirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at a chronologic age consistent with the schedule recommended for full-term infants. Infants with birth weight less than 2000 g may require modification of the timing of hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis depending on maternal hepatitis B surface antigen status. All PT and LBW infants benefit from receiving influenza vaccine beginning at 6 months of age before the beginning of and during the influenza season. All vaccines routinely recommended during infancy are safe for use in PT and LBW infants. The occurrence of mild vaccine-attributable adverse events are similar in both full-term and PT vaccine recipients. Although the immunogenicity of some childhood vaccines may be decreased in the smallest PT infants, antibody concentrations achieved usually are protective.
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July 2003
American Academy of Pediatrics|
July 01 2003
Immunization of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants
and Committee on Infectious Diseases
and Committee on Infectious Diseases
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Pediatrics (2003) 112 (1): 193–198.
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This article has been reaffirmed:
AAP Publications Retired and Reaffirmed
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Policy Statement—AAP Publications Retired and Reaffirmed
Citation
Thomas N. Saari, and Committee on Infectious Diseases; Immunization of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants. Pediatrics July 2003; 112 (1): 193–198. 10.1542/peds.112.1.193
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