Kids’, teens’ immunization schedule updated
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The 2006 Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule includes new recommendations for immunizing against meningitis, whooping cough (pertussis), influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today.
These are some key changes:
—With regard to preventing meningitis, the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) should be administered to all children between 11 and 12 years old as well as to unvaccinated adolescents at high school entry (age 15 years); also, college freshmen living in dormitories should also be vaccinated with MCV4 or meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4).
—To protect adolescents against whooping cough, a new vaccine containing tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap adolescent preparation) is recommended for adolescents 11 to 12 years, and for those aged 13 to 18 years who missed their earlier Tdap booster dose. Subsequent Td boosters are recommended every 10 years.
—Annual influenza vaccination is now recommended for children younger than 6 months who have certain risk factors, including conditions that can cause breathing or swallowing difficulties, such as spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders.
—Hepatitis A vaccine is now universally recommended for all children at age 1 year. Children not vaccinated at 1 to 2 years of age should be vaccinated during the preschool years.
—The importance of the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) birth dose is emphasized in the new schedule. The birth dose should be delayed only under rare circumstances.
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