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May 22, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Babies Need Flu Shots"

Detroit Free Press (www.freep.com) (05/21/02); Fitzgerald, Susan

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which formulates immunization guidelines for the United States, is recommending influenza vaccinations for all children between the ages of six months and 23 months, whereas previously the committee only recommended the influenza vaccine for children over the age of six months who are at greater risk due to chronic illness.  The committee revised its immunization guideline after reviewing research showing young children are at high risk when it comes to influenza and finding that the illness can lead to serious breathing problems requiring hospitalization.  Doctors are likely to ignore the recommendation until the Centers for Disease Control, which takes advice from the committee, updates its own immunization guidelines for small children.

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