Prematurity, particularly extreme prematurity (< 28-weeks gestation) and low birth weight infants often have associated chronic (special risk) medical conditions. This can be associated with prolonged hospitalisation and frequent clinic visits. These are some of the reasons premature infants are at a greater risk of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) and their complications. Preterm infants may also not respond as well to some vaccines (e.g. Hepatitis B).

Immunisation recommendations

Infants should be immunised according to the recommended immunisation schedule based on their chronological age as opposed to their corrected age. This is because it is important to minimise the window preterm infants are not protected from VPDs. Specific special risk medical conditions, as well as birth weight need to be taken into account as extra vaccines may be required .

It should be noted that the Rotavirus immunisation must be given within a strict time frame, with the first dose required before turning 15-weeks (chronological age) and the second dose before 25-weeks of age.

Additional vaccines recommended:

< 28-weeks gestation

Pneumococcal vaccines

  • Infants born at < 28-weeks gestation are recommended to receive 4 doses of 13vPCV and 2 doses of 23vPPV
    • 13vPCV in a 4-dose schedule at 2, 4, 6 and 12-months of age (the first dose may be given as early as 6-weeks of age)
    • 2 doses of 23vPPV; 1 dose at 4-years of age and another dose at least 5 years later

< 32-weeks gestation and/or < 2000g birth weight

Hepatitis B

  • Hepatitis B vaccine should be given at 12-months of age

Additional risk condition vaccine recommendations

  • Influenza vaccine should be given annually from 6 months of age
  • Meningococcal vaccines (MenB and MenACWY) are now funded under the NIP for people of all ages with medical conditions associated with the highest risk of invasive meningococcal disease

Resources:

Household contacts

It is recommended that family members of premature infants be fully up to date with their immunisations including influenza and pertussis boosters. This concept of ‘cocooning’ will help protect vulnerable preterm infants from VPDs.

The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is free and recommended for pregnant women and can be given anytime between 20-32 weeks of each pregnancy. It should be given as early as possible (from 20 weeks) to women who have been identified as being at high risk of early delivery to protect baby in the first months of life when they are too young to be vaccinated.

Influenza vaccination in pregnancy is safe and strongly recommended in avoiding complications of influenza disease. It can be administered at any stage of pregnancy and not only aims to protect the expectant mother from disease, but also to provide protection to the infant once born. Babies less than 6-months of age are at greatest risk of disease and death from influenza and maternal vaccination will provide protection to babies for the first few months of life until they can be immunised against influenza from 6-months of age.

Resources

Authors: Nigel Crawford (Director SAEFVIC, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) and Rachael McGuire (SAEFVIC Research Nurse, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

Reviewed by: Francesca Machingaifa (SAEFVIC Research Nurse, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) and Georgina Lewis (Clinical Manager SAEFVIC, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

Date: July 2020

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family’s personal health. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult a healthcare professional.