Preemies Benefit From Timely Pneumococcal Vax
Preterm infants see lower immune response to PCV13 at a month, but protection still adequate.
The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was well tolerated in infants regardless of gestational age, although preterm babies benefited more from administration on an accelerated schedule, according to a multicenter study. Read more…
VLA Comment: Despite results like the following, the conclusion is:
“These results (below) reinforce the importance of timely pneumococcal vaccination for all infants, including those born prematurely.”
1) Adverse events were reported in 59% of preterm babies and 55% of term babies, during the infant series (P=0.70). The most common adverse event among both groups was respiratory infection.
2) Following the toddler dose, 31% of preterm babies and 27% of term babies experienced adverse events (P=0.53). A vaccine-related rash was reported in one preterm baby.
3) Compared to term babies, severe adverse events were more common in preterm babies after the infant series (5% versus 14%, P=0.051).