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Guidelines Expanded for Flu Shots
(February 26, 2010) - The federal panel that makes recommendations about immunizations (Read about "Immunizations") says that everyone over 6 months old should get a flu shot each year. (Read about "Influenza") Previously the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination focused on vaccination of higher risk persons, such as the elderly and those with lung disease (Read about "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease"), children 6 months through 18 years of age and close contacts of higher risk persons. Those recommendations applied to about 85 percent of the U.S. population.
Discussion at the ACIP meeting focused on the value of protecting all people 19 to 49 years of age, who have been hard hit by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus, which is likely to continue circulating into next season and beyond. Another reason cited in favor of a universal recommendation for vaccination is that many people in currently recommended "higher risk" groups are unaware of their risk factor or that they are recommended for vaccination. The ACIP discussion also recognized the practicality and value of issuing a simple and clear message regarding the importance of influenza vaccination in the hopes that this would remove impediments to vaccination and expand coverage. Finally, new data collected over the course of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic indicates that some people who do not currently have a specific recommendation for vaccination may also be at higher risk of serious flu-related complications, including those people who are obese (Read about "Obesity"), post-partum women and people in certain racial/ethnic groups.
The expanded recommendation is to take effect in the 2010 - 2011 influenza season.
Note: Statements and conclusions of study authors that are published here are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect this hospital's policy or position. This hospital makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.
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