Antibiotics could compromise vaccines in children

Medical professionals say vaccinations are the best defence against potentially deadly diseases, but there are concerns antibiotics could compromise how well they work.

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute are conducting pre-clinical trials to determine whether infants exposed to antibiotics in early stages of life have significantly poorer responses to vaccines.

Researchers believe that antibiotics disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in the digestive system, which impairs the way infants respond to immunisations.

“Up to 50 percent of infants in Australia are exposed to antibiotics in their first year of life,” Researcher, Professor David Lynn told 9News.

Researchers believe the impact antibiotics have on vaccines could be reversed with a simple probiotic or booster shot.

Health experts and researchers say parents should not delay immunising their children regardless of the trial’s outcome.

“Vaccinations help prevent serious diseases like Meningococcal B, mumps, measles and polio,” Dr Wendy Baedi-Souw told 9News.

The study will take several years to complete with human trials yet to start.