Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Neonatal Intravenous Transplant Model for Assessment of Early-Life Immune Activities Against Cancer Cells
06:32

A Neonatal Intravenous Transplant Model for Assessment of Early-Life Immune Activities Against Cancer Cells

Published on: June 26, 2026

[Vaccination in premature infants: an issue many times forgotten]

Marcela Potin1, M Alicia Valencia

  • 1Departamento de Pediatría, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. mpotin@med.puc.cl

Revista Chilena De Infectologia : Organo Oficial De La Sociedad Chilena De Infectologia
|December 13, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Vaccines are safe and effective for premature infants, protecting them from serious diseases. Following the recommended immunization schedule, including extra vaccines, is crucial for preterm infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Premature infants are at high risk for severe vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • Misconceptions about vaccine safety and efficacy in preterms lead to missed immunization opportunities.
  • The impact of infectious diseases is often underestimated in premature infants.

Purpose:

  • To highlight the importance of timely and complete immunization in premature infants.
  • To address misconceptions regarding vaccine safety and immunogenicity in this vulnerable population.
  • To emphasize the critical role of vaccination in preventing severe outcomes from infectious diseases.

Summary:

  • Vaccines are generally safe and effective for premature infants, offering protection against serious diseases.
  • There is no evidence of increased vaccine-associated adverse reactions in premature infants compared to full-term infants.
  • While most preterms respond well, extremely premature infants (<1500g) may have a diminished immune response.

Impact:

  • Adherence to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) schedule, based on chronological age, is vital.
  • Premature infant follow-up programs should incorporate additional vaccines like pneumococcal conjugate and influenza vaccines.
  • Vaccinating close contacts, including older children and adults, with influenza and acellular pertussis vaccines is an important strategy to protect preterms.

More Related Videos

Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice05:17

Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice

Published on: November 11, 2014

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...