What are the guidelines for providing rotavirus vaccine to premature infants?
Practitioners should consider the potential risks and benefits when vaccinating premature infants (<37 weeks gestation) against rotavirus. Limited data suggest that premature infants are at increased risk for hospitalization from viral gastroenteritis during their first year of life. In clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of rotavirus vaccine appeared to be similar for premature and term infants, although relatively few preterm infants were evaluated. The lower level of maternal antibody to rotaviruses in very low birthweight, premature infants theoretically could increase the risk for adverse reactions from rotavirus vaccine. ACIP supports vaccination of prematurely born infants if they are aged at least 6 weeks, are being or have been discharged from the hospital nursery, and are clinically stable. Until further data are available, ACIP considers that the benefits of rotavirus vaccine vaccination of premature infants outweigh the theoretical risks. Remember that premature infant
