Everyone has antibodies in their blood. These are special proteins that the body makes to fight off infections and keep us healthy. When a baby is born after a full 9-month pregnancy, they get a lot of these antibodies from their mother in the last few weeks before birth.

However, when a baby is born preterm, they do not get as many antibodies from their mother. This means they have less protection and can get sick more easily. Therefore, if your baby was born preterm or sick, it is especially important for you to be aware of what vaccinations⍰ they need and when these can be provided to them.

Your baby will probably get their first vaccines when they are about 8 weeks old, based on when they were born, not their due date⍰. More vaccines are usually given at 12 and 16 weeks. If your baby has health issues or is at risk, they might need extra vaccines for viruses like flu or RSV⍰. 

For very preterm babies, it is sometimes recommended that they receive their vaccines in the hospital and stay overnight for observation, though this varies by country.