Vaccination in individuals with Down syndrome: immune vulnerability, safety, efficacy and opportunities

npj Vaccines · Published 2026-05-19 · DOI 10.1038/s41541-026-01489-7

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Authors (18)

Bernard Khor, Noemi A. Spinazzi, Lina R. Patel, Erika Chelales, Nicole Baumer, Peter Bulova, Brian Chicoine, Arturo Borzutzky, Hana M. El Sahly, Joaquin M. Espinosa, Melissa D. Gans, Andrew A. McCormick, Rebecca Partridge, Eric Rubenstein, Jonathan D. Santoro, Cate Speake, Juanita Valdes Camacho, Kishore Vellody

Abstract

Abstract Although individuals with Down syndrome (DS) remain highly vulnerable to severe infections, vaccination remains underutilized. Here we review, specific to people with DS, the safety and efficacy of vaccination, drivers of susceptibility to infection, and existing and emerging opportunities to improve vaccine response. We find that vaccines are generally safe and immunogenic in individuals with DS, although continued research is essential to improve vaccine efficacy and health outcomes.

Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).

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Publication details

Year
2026

Citation

Khor, B., Spinazzi, N., Patel, L., et al. (2026). Vaccination in individuals with Down syndrome: immune vulnerability, safety, efficacy and opportunities. npj Vaccines. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-026-01489-7

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