In the first month of life, an infant’s immune system is not fully mature. It is questionable how effective immunization is during this time. It is important that a mother has received the proper immunizations so that the infant is protected by virtue of passive immunity. The mother’s immunity can protect the infant during the time that the infant’s system is not yet functioning up to full capability. The mother’s antibodies can protect the infant of for the first three to six months of life. The infant must develop antibodies of their own. Some diseases and infection can be prevented by infant vaccination.
Infants have do not have fully functioning immune systems at least through the first month of life (neonate). Even vaccinations are not very effective until the system is more mature. Infants are protected from diseases and infections during this time by their mother’s passive immunity. When a mother has been immunized or has antibodies built up against bacteria and viruses these pass through the placenta before birth. One of the few substances that are enabled to pass through the placenta is immunoglobulin G which is a type of antibody. This occurs at about the third month of gestation and acts as a protection to fetus throughout gestation and extends for a while after birth. This is called passive immunization. Breast milk also contains antibodies that continue to protect the infant.
Passive immunization can occur artificially as well. Patients who are recovering from a certain disease or illness are used to acquire antibodies that are then injected into others who have been exposed and are at high risk for infection. This treatment is not usually used on infants, but the process was inspired by the passive immunity of mother and infant.
It is extremely important for mothers to be immunized against basic diseases; otherwise this protection will not extend to the neonate via passive immunization. Mothers who are not protected from illness will not be able to protect their infants from illness. Even basic bacteria immunity is passed from mother to infant as a protection in that first month of life. However, mothers never exposed to basic bacteria will put their infants at high risk for developing a simple yet deadly infection. Some experimentation with vaccines during pregnancy has been conducted successfully. Mothers who lack antibodies against disease can be immunized during pregnancy to help protect their infants after birth.