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Flu shots cut children's risk of infection by half

Infection Control Monitor, March 9, 2007

If you needed data to convince people of the value of flu shots for young children, consider this research. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found that fully vaccinating children two years of age and older against influenza cuts their rate of infection by 49%--almost half.

The finding supports the government's recommendation that children under five be vaccinated annually against the flu. However, the shot did not help prevent flu in children under the age of two who were partially vaccinated--meaning they had only one shot but no follow-up shot, researchers said. The study affirms that children need to be fully vaccinated against the flu to obtain protective effects, the researchers said. The findings are reported in the March issue of Pediatrics.

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