[Adherence to immunizations in newborns less than 1500 gr at birth and/or younger than 32 weeks, in two chilean centers].

UNLABELLED

Preterm neonates less than 1500 gr. or younger than 32 weeks have an increased morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases. Immunization of these children is critical but is often incomplete and delayed.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the adherence of scheduled and additional vaccines recommended in preterms less than 1500 gr. and to compare the level of compliance in two centers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prematures less than 1500 gr. born between January 2006 and December 2008 in a private center (HCPUC) and in a public health system (HSR) were included. Neonatal charts and follow up records were reviewed. Demographic data, diagnosis, scheduled vaccines, delays and its causes, prescription of additional vaccines were registered.

RESULTS

92 children were included in HCPUC and 246 in HSR. Among these 60-70% respectively had delayed immunizations. The reasons for these were considered not justified in almost 80% of the cases, being the primary reason oversight or lack of parental time. The use of additional vaccines is still low in both centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaccination of prematures in Chile requires important improvements; education of healtheare personnel and parents, inclusión of modern computerized records and inclusión of new efficacious and safe vaccines in the regular immunization program with no cost to the patient.