Neonatal immunization: where do we stand?

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Neonatal immunization: where do we stand?

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21415741>

Wood N, Siegrist CA.

Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2011 Jun;24(3):190-5.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Recognition of the high burden of disease in early life and advances in

the understanding of neonatal immunology have resulted in renewed

interest in maternal and neonatal vaccination. This article reviews

existing information and recent advances in neonatal human immunization.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Recent findings have demonstrated the neonatal immune system not to be

immature but rather specifically adapted for early postnatal life. This

includes the preferential induction of memory B cell rather than

antibody-secreting plasma cells and polarization of neonatal T-cell

responses away from potentially deleterious T-helper type 1 cytokines.

Recent neonatal acellular pertussis and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

trials have proven that a birth dose of acellular pertussis and/or

pneumococcal vaccine, in limited samples sizes, are well tolerated and

immunogenic; however they have identified vaccine interference as a

critical issue to address.

SUMMARY:

Neonatal immunization may be a well tolerated and effective preventive

strategy against early life pathogens. Research to better understand how

neonatal vaccine responses are elicited and to identify optimal early

life adjuvants and formulations may broaden neonatally

vaccine-preventable diseases to pertussis, rotavirus and possibly

influenza, further reducing disease burden in this vulnerable group.

Hurdles to neonatal vaccination include safety concerns, both

immunological and clinical, demonstration of vaccine efficacy and public

acceptance.

PMID:

21415741