http://www.cdc.gov/nip/Flu/ACIP_2002-03_recs.htm

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Flu Season 2001-02

CDC, National Immunization Program
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Makes New Influenza Vaccine Recommendations for 2002-03
February 20, 2002

 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) today voted on influenza vaccine recommendations for the 2002-03 season. The influenza vaccine is the most effective way to protect against influenza disease and its many complications. The ACIP voted to prioritize vaccination efforts in October and earlier to target persons at high risk of complications from influenza, health care workers and children under 9 years of age who are receiving vaccine for the first time, because they need a booster dose one month after the initial dose. All other groups, including household members of high-risk persons, healthy persons 50-64, and others who wish to decrease their risk of influenza infection should begin vaccination in November. The optimal time to vaccinate is during October and November, although the change was made due to significant vaccine distribution delays during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 influenza seasons and the possibility of similar situations in future years.

In addition, the committee is "encouraging" influenza vaccination for healthy children aged 6 months to 23 months because children in this age group are at substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations. A full recommendation to annually vaccinate healthy children aged 6 months-23 months is expected to be made within the next one to three years.

The influenza recommendations for 2002 also encourage the use of influenza vaccine after November. Many people who should or want to receive influenza vaccine remain unvaccinated after November. Substantial amounts of vaccine have remained unused during the past two influenza seasons and extended vaccination efforts after November are needed to decrease illness and to ensure full use of vaccine supplies. Vaccine received after November is likely to be beneficial in most influenza seasons. Influenza activity has not peaked in the majority of recent seasons until late December through early March. Adults develop peak antibody protection against influenza infection 2 weeks after vaccination.

Vaccine manufacturers are projecting that a total of 88-93 million doses of influenza vaccine will be produced for the coming season. This is an early projection and may change as the season progresses. Influenza vaccine prepared for the 2002-03 season will include that same two A strains as those used in the past season. The B strain has not yet been selected.

 

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This page last modified on February 21, 2002
   
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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.