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February 2006 The CDC released the 2006 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, which includes vaccine indication expansions, two new vaccines and one catch-up vaccine change. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, AAP, AAFP and CDC adopted the new schedule, and it was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The CDC now recommends hepatitis A vaccination universally for children at 1 year of age. Children aged 6 to 24 months, specifically those that compromise respiratory function, are recommended for the influenza vaccine. The CDC also recommends the influenza shot for those at increased risk of aspiration and people who handle respiratory secretions, as well. With the current FDA-approved tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for adolescents, physicians may substitute Tdap for any Td dose in the primary catch-up series for children and adolescents aged 7 to 18, or as an age-appropriate booster, according to the CDC. The CDC encourages a five-year interval between the last Td shot and Tdap booster. Tdap is also on the schedule for adolescents aged 11 to 12 “who have completed the recommended childhood diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis/diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTP/DTaP) vaccination series and have not received a tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) booster dose,” according to the CDC. The importance of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose is highlighted in the updated schedule, as are other hepatitis B recommendation changes. The new meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4; Menactra, Sanofi Pasteur) is the preferred vaccine over the polysaccharide product (MPSV4; Menomune, Sanofi Pasteur). The CDC recommends the vaccine for children aged 11 to 12 and unvaccinated adolescents entering high school (or aged 15) as well as college freshmen living in dormitories. Although MCV4 is preferred for both populations, MPSV4 is acceptable for college freshmen and is the preferred vaccine for children aged 2 to 10 in certain high-risk groups. MCV4 is preferred among older pediatric high-risk groups, according to the CDC. “Detailed recommendations for using vaccines are available from package inserts, ACIP statements on specific vaccines, and the 2003 Red Book,” the CDC said. To view the full 2006 immunization schedule, click here. For more information: |
