Concerning immunizations to hospitalized preterm neonates, the nurse practitioner should be aware that

Concerning immunizations to hospitalized preterm neonates, the nurse practitioner should be aware that

• A. Hepatitis B vaccine
• B. DTaP
• C. Varicella vaccine
• D. Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine

Answer: (D)

In hospitalized preterm neonates, vaccine timing depends on the vaccine type, the infant’s age, and clinical stability. The birth-dose hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given in the hospital, even for preterm babies, to provide early protection. DTaP is started later, around two months of chronological age, and may be delayed in the NICU if the infant remains medically unstable. However, live vaccines such as measles–mumps–rubella are not given during the NICU stay or before about one year of age. They are postponed until the child is around 12 months old and clinically stable, with the first MMR dose typically at 12–15 months and a second dose later. Therefore, the vaccine that the nurse should be aware is not administered during the NICU stay is measles–mumps–rubella, to be scheduled for outpatient follow-up after discharge when the child is old enough.

In hospitalized preterm neonates, vaccine timing depends on the vaccine type, the infant’s age, and clinical stability. The birth-dose hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given in the hospital, even for preterm babies, to provide early protection. DTaP is started later, around two months of chronological age, and may be delayed in the NICU if the infant remains medically unstable. However, live vaccines such as measles–mumps–rubella are not given during the NICU stay or before about one year of age. They are postponed until the child is around 12 months old and clinically stable, with the first MMR dose typically at 12–15 months and a second dose later. Therefore, the vaccine that the nurse should be aware is not administered during the NICU stay is measles–mumps–rubella, to be scheduled for outpatient follow-up after discharge when the child is old enough.