Vaccinations

schulme2

Hey ladies!

I'm so torn! My son is coming up on 2 months, 34 weeks gestation, and the doctors are talking about starting the standard 2 month vaccinations this coming week. I am trying to be well informed and I've been reading a lot of bad reactions and such and I'm terrified to give them to him and terrified to not. I just don't want to regret this decision either way. Plus I'm scared that since he is still so young and still 1.5 months even from his due date that it's too early. But at the same time, I know he's more susceptible to many illnesses because he has a compromised immune system and I would rather he already be in the hospital when he gets them. I'm just soooo torn! Did you get them? What actual age/adjusted age?

mcarter127

Ellie just got her 2 month vaccines about a week ago. She was born at 24 weeks & was 33 wks when she received them. I was really nervous for them as well but after taking with the neonatologist, there was no question in my mind that we should do them. Our NICU is pretty open & there are 5 babies in her pod. With siblings & visitors coming in, there was a real potential for someone to bring something in. I was particularly worried about HIB. Since even something as minor as a cold could kill her, I don't even want to think about what would happen with something more serious! 

Keep in mind that serious vaccine reactions are extremely rare. Minor reactions can happen & shouldn't be a big deal even in a preemie. Ellie did seem more tired for a few days but never developed a fever or anything else. They told us that fevers after vaccines are pretty uncommon in preemies  because they just don't mount as much of an immune response like a term kid would. They also said the only reason to wait is if they are unstable or showing any signs of illness at the time. 

We did decide to wait on the Hepatitis vaccine just because there's really no chance of her coming into contact with Hep A in the NICU. We will eventually do it but I just figured we'd hold off for now since its not necessary for her right now. I think with our son, he finally got it around 3. 

I hope that helps! They do give these vaccines all the time in the NICU. I imagine if the benefits of waiting outweighed the risk then they would not give them at 2 months actual. Ellie is also still really tiny (I think she was 2 lbs 6 oz at the time) but they said that it was even more important for her to get it.  

Good luck! 

jbranden12

My former 26 weeker got her 2 month shots at actual age ( all but rotavirus, since it's a live virus. She got that on discharge day). We were surprised as well because I hadn't given it any thought, but the benefits outweighed any risk. She had no reactions. We did them while she was skin to skin us because studies show this reduces pain.

Brummy14

We've also received all vaccinations on the actual age schedule -- personally, I wasn't keen on waiting, since these little guys already have rather crappy immune systems, and the doctors insisted this was standard practice/not something to worry about. Our buggers handled them just fine -- I don't think it's anything to worry about.

Pips09

My 30-weeker received all her vaccinations on schedule for her actual age. It is hard, because they are so tiny, but it's really important for preemies to receive their vaccinations, as their immune system is not up to par and they need the help.

DrRx

My 26-weeker did get all of her vaccinations at actual age (except for the first Hep B shot, which she didn't get at birth but rather at 2 months).  The neos I spoke with said to do it on actual age vs. adjusted, as this was the consensus guideline among pediatricians and family physicians. 

The CDC recommends that Hep B be delayed in those who were born less than 2 kg until 1 or 2 months.  

shannon8632

My DD just got her 2 month shots even though she's only 6 weeks old. She was born at 35 weeks. I guess she had gained enough weight that they thought it was safe to give at 6 weeks. Anyway she had no reaction and did great! I'm sure the pediatrician wouldn't give them if they thought there was a major risk!

niftychick29

Our little guy was born at 33 wks 6 days, and spent 3 weeks in the NICU.  We saw the pediatrician for the first time two days after he was discharged, and then he was given vaccinations at the two month appointment, which was two months from that first one (so he ended up getting them when he was two months and three weeks old, actual age).  He cried for a minute or two when he got them, then was fine, then cried for an hour or so later on in the evening (think the injection spots were sore).  Besides that crying bout, and tiredness for a couple days after, he was perfectly fine.  We definitely decided the benefits outweighed any risks.  Good luck to you with your decision!