Family flu vaccinations protect newborns

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Vaccinating new mothers and other family members against influenza before their newborns leave the hospital protects newborns, U.S. researchers said.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend vaccinating newborns for flu because they're too young, however, they're a part of the population that is at highest risk," Dr. Emmanuel Walter, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, N.C., said in a statement.

"Newborns have the highest rate of hospitalizations due to influenza compared to any other age group of children -- their influenza-related hospitalization are similar to people age 80 and older."

The study shows offering the flu vaccine to new mothers during their baby's stay in the hospital is an effective way to protect their own health and the health of their baby as well as a convenient way for new fathers and siblings to be vaccinated, Walter said.

"Protection of the newborn from the dangers of influenza is maximized when those who have the closest contact are vaccinated," Walter said.

Walter presented the findings at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy/Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting in Washington.