Vaccination timeliness and completeness among preterm and low birthweight infants: a national cohort study

Vaccinating premature and low birthweight (LBW) infants according to chronological age has been found safe and effective. Although these infants are susceptible to infections, vaccinations are often delayed. We estimated vaccination coverage (VC) in preterm and LBW infants compared to term infants in a cohort study (2016 Israel birth cohort, n = 181,543) using the National Immunization Registry. Vaccinations included Hepatitis B, Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis-IPV-Haemophilus influenzae B, Oral Polio Bivalent, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal Conjugate, Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella and Hepatitis A. Inclusion criteria: (1) born in Israel; (2) having a unique identifier (allowing data matching); and (3) surviving to 24 months. VC at 24 months and timeliness of vaccine doses were evaluated according to infants’ birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA). Preterm infants (GA < 37 weeks) comprised 7.0% (n = 12,264); LBW infants (BW< 2500 g) were 7.7% (n = 13,950); BW was 1500–2499 g in 6.8%, 1000–1499 g in 0.6% and below 1000 g in 0.3%. Compared to normal birthweight (NBW) infants (BW≥2500 g), LBW infants showed delayed initiation of vaccinations. Odds ratio (OR) for delay: DTaP-IPV-Hib 1 OR = 1.26 [95%CI 1.19–1.33]; Rota 1, OR = 1.22 [95%CI 1.16–1.29]. Vaccination delay rates were higher among smaller new-borns (below 1000 g). At 24 months there was no significant difference regarding vaccination status. This national cohort VC analysis focused on preterm/LBW infants. Vaccinating preterm and LBW infants according to the recommended schedule induces protection against life-threatening infectious diseases. Vaccination initiation among LBW infants showed considerable delay. Health practitioners and parents should cooperate to improve timely vaccination initiation.