Vaccination of premature newborns

Abstract

Premature newborns are most vulnerable to the severe infectious diseases. The timeliness of vaccination in this group of children is extremely important. Historically, however, vaccination coverage for premature newborns has been significantly reduced due to unjustified contraindications. This is due to the fear of developing post-vaccination complications and the opinion that the immune response to vaccines in preterm newborns is reduced. In addition, in our country, there are no approved federal clinical guidelines for the vaccination of premature newborns, which determines the lack of a unified approach among medical workers and raises doubts among parents.The article presents a review of Russian and foreign literature data, highlighting the state of the problem of timeliness and completeness of vaccination coverage of premature newborns. Features of the immunity of a child born prematurely and the possibility of an adequate response to vaccine antigens in various degrees of prematurity. According to the list of the National Immunization Schedule, scientific and practical data on the safety and efficacy of vaccines registered in Russia, the benefits of complying with approved schedule and the positive non-specific effects of individual vaccines are given. Data on the specific prevention of RS-virus infection are presented. It has been shown that conditions that can develop after vaccination and are characteristic of prematurity are not directly related to the vaccine and that premature newborns is able to develop a sufficient immune response. Accordingly, children born prematurely should be immunized in accordance with the passport age with the stabilization of the child’s condition and adequate weight gain.