When your baby is discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), there is a lot to think about: feedings, diaper changes, baths, follow-up visits with doctors, and more. Part of keeping your baby healthy is taking good care of yourself. Please consider updating your own immunizations to protect your baby.

Immunizations recommended and available for you as a NICU caregiver:

Flu

The flu is more serious than the common cold, especially for children under age two or those with chronic health conditions, like babies who were born preterm. Preterm babies are more likely to be hospitalized if they catch the flu. At WVU, we’ve seen more than half of NICU graduates who were readmitted with flu or COVID infections need ICU care again. Children don’t become as sick with flu if they got the flu vaccine, but babies can’t receive the vaccine until six months of age. The best way to protect babies from flu, especially those who are still too young to receive a vaccine, is for parents and any older children at home to get flu vaccines. Flu vaccines are only given during certain times of year and need updated yearly as flu strains change.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Many babies stop breathing (apnea) as they become sick with pertussis. About half of babies in the United States who get pertussis need to be hospitalized. Sometimes babies die of pertussis. Babies can’t receive the pertussis immunization until two months of age, and they’re not fully protected against pertussis until around 15 months of age. The best way to protect a baby from pertussis is for the adults and older children around the baby to get immunized.

COVID

It is important for caregivers, especially for babies with chronic lung disease, to receive this immunization. To be considered fully protected, a couple of immunizations are needed. Please speak with your medical provider with any questions regarding this immunization series. Sometimes families are worried about getting the COVID vaccine. It’s important to know that the risk of problems like myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) is much greater with severe COVID infection than post-immunization.

Immunizations recommended and available for your baby:

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants less than one year old. Babies less than six months old have the highest risk for severe infection. Immunization is especially important for babies born prematurely, and those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, or immune system problems. The RSV immunization is available for babies less than eight months old during RSV season.

**If you would like more information, or have questions, please speak with your provider.

Immunizations are available at little to no cost with most insurances at any local or national pharmacy location.