Antibiotics diminish babies’ immune response to key vaccines

The drugs disrupt gut bacteria, which appear to play a part in the body’s response to vaccines

A woman holds a young child as a medical professional gives them a shot

Babies are immunized in their first years of life against infectious diseases that are especially risky to the very young. Taking antibiotics during this time was associated with less-than-protective levels of certain vaccine-induced antibodies, a new study finds.

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Taking antibiotics in the first two years of life can prevent babies from developing a robust immune response to certain vaccines.