Newborns with a birth weight of less than 37 weeks or a birth weight of less than 2500 grams are at greater risk for infections than other newborns. For this reason, it is important to protect them from preventable diseases. Vaccination doses are not reduced in premature and low birth weight newborns.

Vaccination in Premature Newborns

Newborns with a birth weight of less than 37 weeks or a birth weight of less than 2500 grams are at greater risk for infections than other newborns. For this reason, it is important to protect them from preventable diseases.

Vaccination doses are not reduced in premature and low birth weight newborns.

Hepatitis B vaccine : It is determined according to the mother’s HGBsAg result.

  • If the mother has HBsAg (-) and the baby is less than 2000 grams, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth, the second dose at the end of the first month, and the third dose at the end of the 6th month.
  • If the mother has HBsAg (-) and the baby is 2000 grams or more, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine is administered one month after birth or at discharge, the second dose one month after the first dose, and the third dose six months after the first dose.
  • If the mother is HBsAg (+) and the baby is below 2000 grams, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG is administered within 12 hours. Since the birth weight of the baby is less than 2000 grams, the first dose at birth is not included in the 3-dose routine vaccination schedule. At the end of the first month, the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccination scheme is started. 9-15 to baby. Anti-HBs and HBsAg tests should be checked between months.
  • If the mother has HBsAg (+) and the baby is 2000 grams or more, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is administered to the baby within 12 hours. The 2nd dose of vaccine is administered at the end of the 1st month, and the 3rd dose of the vaccine is administered at the end of the 6th month. 9-15 to baby. Anti-HBs and HBsAg tests should be checked between months
  • If the mother’s HBsAg status is unknown, the mother is tested for HBsAg. Results can be expected up to 1 week in babies with a birth weight of 2000 grams and above. If the HbsAg test result does not come out within 12 hours in mothers of babies under 2000 g, the mother is treated as HbsAg (+). Within twelve hours, the baby is vaccinated and HBIG is given. If the result is out within 12 hours, it will be followed as the suggestions above.

BCG Vaccine: It is decided according to the birth week of the baby.

  • If the baby is born under 34 weeks, it is applied after completing the postconceptional 34 weeks after birth and after the calendar age is at least 2 months and has reached 2 000 g.
  • If the baby is born at 34 weeks or more, it is vaccinated according to the chronological age.

DaBT-IPV-Hib and conjugated pneumococcal vaccines:

It is given to premature babies whose chronological age is 60 days, regardless of birth weight and gestational age, if their medical condition is stable and they gain weight regularly. Vaccination can be spread over 2-3 days to avoid multiple injections at the same time.

In infants with apnea detected in the first dose of vaccine, it is recommended to be administered in inpatient treatment institutions under observation for 48-72 hours after the second dose.

Measles, rubella, mumps and varicella vaccines: given at 12 months

Influenza vaccine:

After the 6th month, the flu vaccine is given twice with an interval of one month in infants with medium and high risk. During the flu season, it is recommended that parents and close contacts of high-risk babies who live in the same household receive the flu vaccine, as well as Tdap (tetanus-reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis) depending on the vaccination status.


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