U.S panel urges flu shots for tots

http://www.msnbc.com/news/712367.asp

New research shows 6- to 23-month-olds at risk

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA, Feb. 20 — A government advisory panel decided Wednesday to encourage flu shots for children ages 6 months to 23 months — a group not previously on the recommended list for the vaccine.


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THE GOVERNMENT currently recommends the vaccine only for older people, the chronically ill and pregnant women, although it is available to others who want it.
But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization panel said new research shows 6- to 23-month-olds are at increased risk for flu-related hospitalizations.
Before making a full-fledged recommendation to doctors that the children get annual vaccines, the panel wants to study the possible impact on providers and parents, said the CDC’s Dr. Keiji Fukuda.
Beginning next flu season, the advisory panel will also encourage people at lower risk for flu to wait until November to get shots.

Are your child's shots up-to-date?

October shots should be reserved for people at high risk, the panel said.

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The panel said it expects 88 million to 93 million doses of flu vaccine to be available for the 2002-03 flu season, up from 87 million this year. The vaccine has been delayed for the past two flu seasons because of manufacturing delays.
Flu kills up to 20,000 Americans each year.

Report: Child shots safe for immune system

© 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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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.