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

Authors

• Bernard Khor, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, USA. bkhor@benaroyaresearch.org.
• Noemi A. Spinazzi, Children's Specialized Hospital, Hamilton, NJ, USA.
• Lina R. Patel, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA.
• Erika Chelales, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA.
• Nicole Baumer, Anna and John J Sie Center for Down Syndrome, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
• Peter Bulova, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
• Brian Chicoine, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
• Arturo Borzutzky, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
• Hana M. El Sahly, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
• Joaquin M. Espinosa, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA.
• Melissa D. Gans, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Jackson Health System, Miami, FL, USA.
• Andrew A. McCormick, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
• Rebecca Partridge, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, USA.
• Eric Rubenstein, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
• Jonathan D. Santoro, Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
• Cate Speake, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, USA.
• Juanita Valdes Camacho, Louisiana State University Health, Shreveport, LA, USA.
• Kishore Vellody, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Recommended Citation

Khor B, Spinazzi NA, Patel LR, et al. Vaccination in individuals with Down syndrome: immune vulnerability, safety, efficacy and opportunities. NPJ Vaccines. Published online May 19, 2026. doi:10.1038/s41541-026-01489-7

Affiliations

Advocate Health Adult Down Syndrome Center, Park Ridge

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.

Type

Article

PubMed ID

42156776