Maintaining Vaccine Supply

Update on the State Childrens Health Insurance Program

Hoosiers CHIRP and ECBT Cheers

Flu Shots Join the Pediatric Lineup

AAP Releases Policy Statement on Smallpox Vaccine Administration

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With the advent of this years cold and flu season comes the first time that young children are being actively encouraged to receive the flu vaccine.  When the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued the 2002 Childhood Immunization Schedule they included a recommendation that influenza vaccine should be given to “children six months of age or older  with certain risk factors (including but not limited to asthma, cardiac disease, sickle cell disease, HIV, and diabetes.)”  In April 2002 the ACIP published further information in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (51(RR03);1-31) that stated “Because young, otherwise healthy children are at increased risk for influenza-related hospitalization, influenza vaccination of healthy children aged 6--23 months is encouraged when feasible.”
      The standing rule that high-risk individuals should get first priority when administering influenza vaccine still applies.  In the past, high-risks groups included those who were 65 years of age or older, anyone with a chronic health condition, women who expected to be more than three months pregnant during the flu season, anyone living with or providing care to someone at high-risk, and health care workers.  ACIP recommendations now also include anyone living with or providing care to a child under the age of two, as well as children between the ages of six months and twenty-three months of age in the high-risk category.  The best time for any high-risk individual to receive the vaccine is in the months of October and November.  Keep in mind that children between the ages of six months and eight years will have to receive two shots if this is the first time that they have ever received the influenza vaccine.  The second shot follows one month from the first.
      It is important to note that missing the October and November recommended “best” flu inoculation periods does not mean that it is too late to get a flu shot.  In the United States, over the last nineteen years the flu season has peaked most often in the month of February. While the best time to get a flu shot is October or November, receiving the flu shot in December or later will still protect you.  Also remember, flu vaccines are made from killed influenza viruses. These viruses cannot give you the flu.