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June 21, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Broader Flu Shots for Kids Ordered; Rule Covers 52% of U.S. Children" Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com/ajc)
(06/21/02) P. 8A; McKenna, M.A.J.
A vote yesterday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which makes the recommendations to the federal government, means that young children's flu shots will now be included in the public programs that provide vaccination for low-income and underinsured children. Three public programs including the federal government's Vaccines for Children; "317" programs and the individual states' programs will be mandated to provide flu shots for all children between the ages of 6 months to 23 months old; those between 6 months and 18 years old who have medical conditions like asthma and immune-system ailments that put them at high risk for flu complications; and those within the same age who live with an adult who has AIDS or has had an organ transplant. The federal government will be required to provide about 12.8 million additional doses of flu vaccine annually at the cost of $54.2 million under the new mandate, and states will need to provide another 1.2 million doses at the cost of $5.4 million. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that it may take up to two years to fully implement the program.
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