Uptake and timing of immunisations in preterm and term infants.

Preterm infants are more at risk of complications from infectious disease and should be immunised as a matter of priority. This retrospective study followed the immunisations given to 110 premature infants and 220 control term infants admitted to the Neonatal Unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath over a 12-month period. The overall immunisation uptake for infants admitted to the neonatal unit was 99.93, better than for the general population of the area. However, in both preterm and term infants there were considerable variations in the age at which each immunisation was given. Fewer of the preterm infants had their first three immunisations on time. The difference in timings between the two groups was statistically significant. Earlier immunisations were more often given on time than later ones. The greater the gestational age, the more likely that the infant would be immunised at the correct times. It is important to stress to parents the importance of immunisation for babies who are born prematurely or who have been unwell.