Vaccine Premature Infants

About Vaccine Premature Infants

National guidance generally schedules vaccines for premature infants by chronological age rather than gestational age, as for full term infants. Premature infants are at higher risk for vaccine preventable diseases including RSV, influenza, and pertussis. Guidance on hepatitis B vaccine timing for very low birth weight infants differs and depends on the mothers hepatitis B status. Preterm infants may have slightly lower antibody responses but are still protected. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against RSV, was historically recommended for premature infants. Nirsevimab has largely replaced palivizumab. The practice of vaccinating by chronological age is based on studies showing adequate immune responses and the high risk of severe disease in premature infants. Delays in vaccinating premature infants prolong their vulnerability during an already high risk period.