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CDC advisory committee recommends expansion of flu shots

Infection Control Monitor, February 29, 2008

A federal panel of immunization experts meeting in Atlanta on February 27 voted unanimously to recommend flu shots for all children from six months to 18 years of age.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the federal agency on vaccine issues, recommended the expansion of the guidelines for annual influenza vaccination. The previous recommendation was to vaccinate children from six months to 59 months of age. The new recommendation increases the number of children recommended for vaccination by approximately 30 million, the CDC said in a press release.

The expanded recommendation is to take effect as soon as feasible, but no later than the 2009-2010 influenza season, the CDC said. The agency urged providers to begin vaccinating all children aged six months to 18 years for the next flu season. Influenza vaccines will protect the health of children who receive the shots and reduce the risk of transmitting the flu to family members and within the community.

The CDC also announced that the 2008-2009 flu vaccine for the United States will include three new strains of the virus.

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