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Published on: January 28, 2019
National guidelines recommend rotavirus vaccination to inpatient preterm infants
Lina Schollin Ask1, Lisen Wingren2, Jann Storsaeter1
1Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.
Insights
Rotavirus vaccination is safe for preterm infants and other children in neonatal units. The Swedish Public Health Agency recommends the first dose of rotavirus vaccine for eligible hospitalized infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus infection poses a significant risk to vulnerable infants in hospital settings.
- Evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of rotavirus vaccination in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and special care units (SCU) is evolving.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest evidence on administering the first dose of rotavirus vaccine to infants in NICU/SCU settings.
- To assess the safety and immune response of rotavirus vaccination in this population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted focusing on serious adverse events and potential transmission of vaccine virus.
- Results were discussed with a national advisory group, and a survey was distributed to Swedish neonatal care units.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus vaccination is safe for age-eligible preterm infants and unvaccinated infants in the same ward.
- A satisfactory immune response was observed, with basic hygiene measures deemed sufficient.
- Hospitalized infants with pediatric surgical conditions should also be considered for rotavirus vaccination.
Conclusions:
- The Swedish Public Health Agency recommends the first dose of rotavirus vaccine for hospitalized preterm infants and other eligible children in neonatal wards.
- Vaccination should be administered when infants reach the eligible age during their hospital stay.
Aim:
The aim was to perform a literature search of the latest evidence of administration of dose 1 of rotavirus vaccine to children admitted in neonatal intensive care or special care unit settings.
Methods:
The literature search focused on the outcome of serious adverse events of rotavirus vaccination in vaccinated children and on possible symptomatic infection in controls and in unvaccinated children via transmission of the vaccine virus in the same ward. Results and guidelines were discussed with a working group selected from the national advisory group of child health. Also, a survey to neonatal care units in Sweden was sent out due to the subject.
Results:
Administration of rotavirus vaccine is safe for age-eligible preterm children and unvaccinated children in the same ward. A satisfactory immune response has been shown, and basic hygiene routines are enough. Also, hospitalised age-eligible children with paediatric surgical conditions should be considered the rotavirus vaccine.
Conclusion:
The Swedish Public Health Agency recommends that preterm infants as well as children who are admitted for other reasons in the neonatal ward be vaccinated with dose 1 against rotavirus infection when hospitalised and when age eligible.
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