Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42506675›Full record

ArticleVaccines2026

Immunization Gaps Among High-Risk Preterm Infants in Kazakhstan.

Balzhan N Tatibekova, Daniel Yakubovich, Ademi K Sagatbayeva, Aigul A Ismailova

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Vaccines, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Balzhan N TatibekovaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Astana Medical University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
Daniel YakubovichDepartment of Neonatology, Laniado Hospital, Ariel University, Netanya 42150, Israel.
Ademi K SagatbayevaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Astana Medical University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
Aigul A IsmailovaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Astana Medical University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdvances in neonatal intensive care in Kazakhstan have improved the survival of preterm infants, including those with very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW). However, after hospital discharge, these medically vulnerable children may remain insufficiently protected against vaccine-preventable infections because of prolonged temporary medical exemptions, clinical caution, parental concerns, and fragmented coordination between specialized follow-up services and primary health care.

objectiveThis study aimed to assess vaccination coverage in a 10-year cohort of high-risk preterm infants and to identify clinical, parental, and organizational factors associated with delayed immunization.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 331 high-risk preterm infants followed at a specialized pediatric center in Astana, Kazakhstan, between 2015 and 2024. Vaccination status at hospital discharge and at 24 months of chronological age, documented temporary medical exemptions, reasons for delayed or missed vaccination, and confirmed cases of pertussis and measles were analyzed. A supplementary cross-sectional survey of parents, physicians, and health care managers was conducted to further explore barriers to catch-up immunization.

resultsAt hospital discharge, 259 infants (78.2%) had not received the BCG or hepatitis B vaccine. By 24 months of age, 34.1% (n = 113) were fully vaccinated according to age, whereas 49.8% (n = 165) remained completely unvaccinated. During the observation period, 30 cases of measles and 17 cases of pertussis were recorded within the cohort, primarily during nationwide outbreaks. Among the 10 children with a history of measles before 12 months of age, 2 developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), 1 developed profound hearing loss, and 1 required prolonged oxygen therapy following pneumonia. In addition, 2 children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) experienced clinical deterioration, while 1 infant with pertussis required hospitalization during the acute phase of illness.

conclusionHigh-risk preterm infants in this cohort experienced substantial and persistent gaps in immunization after hospital discharge. These findings underscore the importance of regular reassessment of temporary medical exemptions, improved coordination between specialized follow-up services and primary health care, and strengthened catch-up immunization strategies for medically vulnerable children.

Indexed as

delayed vaccinationimmunization timelinessmeasles outbreakpertussispreterm infantsSSPE

Identifiers

PMID42506675
PMCPMC13431342

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.