[Vaccination of premature infants, a population at high risk of infection]. / Les enfants prématurés, une population à haut risque d'infection qui doit être protégée par la vaccination.

The incidence of prematurity has steadily increased in Belgium these last years, reaching 7,9 % in 2010. Infections remain for these infants an important cause of morbidity and mortality during their hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care units as well as during their first months of life in the community. Despite the immaturity of their immune system, their ability to develop a protective immune response to most vaccines has been established. Instable very low birth weight prematures are at risk cardio- respiratory incidents after vaccine administration, but these incidents are transient and without consequences if they are monitored during and after vaccination. This paper reviews the current recommendations on the immunization of the premature infants.