Longitudinal studies of antibody responses in preterm infants receiving vaccines according to the Australian immunisation schedule will be important in determining the immunogenicity and duration of immunity of new vaccines in this group of infants. Well preterm infants can be safely immunised at the same time as term infants. Full doses of all vaccines should be given. The response of sick and very low birth weight infants appears to be reduced for Hib and hepatitis B vaccines and schedule modifications may be needed. AIHW National Perinatal Statistics Unit, University Printing Service, Sydney 1996.
Communicable diseases surveillance.
Williams GD, Matthews NT, Choong RKC et al. Infant pertussis deaths in New South Wales 1996-1997. Increased risk of reported pertussis and hospitalization associated with pertussis in low birth weight children. Wortis N, Strebel PM Wharton M et al. Bernbaum JC, Daft A, Anolik R et al.