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Every time a child is given a vaccination there is the possibility of an adverse side effect occurring. Consequently, parents must make an educated decision when and if to vaccinate their children.

• For most children the risks associated with being vaccinated are minimal, especially when compared to the risks they would face without the protection of the vaccine.

Some children are at a greater risk when being vaccinated. This risk can be due to allergies, poor general health, or a weakened immune system. Premature babies are one such 'at risk' group.

• The conditions that make a premature infant a high-risk candidate for experiencing a reaction to a vaccine, are the same as the ones that place him at a greater risk of suffering severe complications should he happen to catch the disease that the vaccine would protect him from.
• Premature infants can have suppressed immune systems. They are often not fully developed – physically, and they are therefore likely to have more medical problems than a full-term baby.
• Specific risk factors associated with vaccinating preemies seem to dissipate after the baby has reached its normal 'due date' and has gained enough weight to be released from the hospital.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all premature babies receive the proper immunizations for their chronological age. Their rational is that since the risk factors of the vaccines have not been proven, but the risk of infection has, it is in the baby's best interest to receive the vaccines.

• Within the framework of this recommendation, the AAP does take into account the need for a flexible immunization schedule based upon the condition and weight of the preemie.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization, in Canada, also agrees that the earlier a child is immunized, the better.

• They also concur that any risks associated with vaccinations far outweigh the known risks of not being vaccinated.

Everyone knows that vaccinations have drastically reduced the occurrences of many childhood illnesses, such as polio, rubella and diphtheria. Despite the seemingly miraculous protection offered by vaccines, they also have their dark side.

• Juvenile Diabetes, there is a circumstantial evidence dating back to the 1940's that shows a connection between the widespread availability of vaccines and the rise in juvenile diabetes. Current research is still pending, but the evidence continues to mount.
• Asthma, circumstantial evidence also indicates that there may be a correlation between the rise in the number of children being vaccinated and the rise in childhood asthma.
• Other adverse side effects that have been contributed to the vaccination of babies include autism, inflammatory bowel disorders, chronic immune disorders and various neurological disorders. Concrete evidence does not yet exist to back-up any of these assertions.

It depends…

Talk with your baby's doctors and ask about possible side effects. Also, ask about possible complications if your baby contracts the disease that the vaccine would protect against.

• Although the risk of a side effect occurring does exist, such a risk tends to be minimal and usually represents a negligible risk to your child, than they would face if they contracted the actual disease.

Next, talk with the nurses. They may be more willing to discuss problems that they have seen with preemies that have been vaccinated, than a doctor would. This is because many of the adverse side effects have not yet been formally documented. A doctor may feel that mentioning them may induce you not to get your baby immunized when such an action may not be called for.

Do your homework. Don't allow the medical community to pressure you into doing something you are not sure about.