Front page – November 2002 ACIP to delay considering universal pediatric
flu vaccine recommendation
ATLANTA — The influenza
vaccine is now strongly recommended for all children 6 to 23 months old,
but the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) appears
ready to stall consideration of a universal recommendation due to a lack
of safety and efficacy data.
While a study by the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study group found no
signals of any serious adverse events except for a possible rise in
visits for impetigo after vaccination, ACIP members at a recent meeting
were critical of the study, saying it was unclear whether the visits
were after the first or second dose of vaccine.
The optimal data would come from studies conducted over multiple winters
and could not start until at least 2004, since vaccination efforts have
already begun for this year, researchers said.
Although the vaccine has been recommended for use in high-risk children
since the late 1970s, efficacy data have come from a few clinical trials
with relatively small patient populations.
Full Story
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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.
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