Exposure to antibiotics as a newborn can impair immune response to vaccines, study finds

Exposure to antibiotics as a newborn can impair immune response to vaccines, study finds

Immunization programs save millions of lives every year by protecting against preventable diseases. The immune response to vaccines, however, varies significantly between individuals, and the results can be suboptimal in populations at a higher risk of developing infectious diseases. Growing evidence suggests that differences in gut microbiota could be a key factor driving these variations.

Antibiotics affect babies' vaccinations, and space miso

In today's news podcast, a study shows a reduced effectiveness of vaccinations in babies who have antibiotics treatments early in life. Also, the world's smallest, light-powered pacemaker, and we learn the secrets of the broadclub cuttlefish's crab-catching colour display. Then, we follow the journey of miso paste up to the ISS and back to Earth again, and hear what it tastes like! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scient…

Australian researchers say there may be a close link between the immune response to vaccination in infants and the composition of the gut microbiome.