Highlights
Flu Vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that several additional adult populations receive influenza (flu) vaccinations, including:
- All healthcare workers
- Patients with any condition that affects breathing
- Patients with any condition that produces respiratory secretions (for example, mucus from a runny nose or cough)
- People who live with those who are at high risk of flu complications
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The CDC recommends that children under age nine receive two doses of the flu vaccine one month apart, because they do not develop a strong immune response from a single dose.
A 2004 review of multiple trials in Ontario, Canada (which provides flu shots to all healthy adults and children over 6 months of age) found universal immunization to be effective. Researchers also found that, when received within 36-48 hours of the first flu symptoms, the vaccine helps prevent household members and those in close contact to flu patients from getting sick.
Bacterial Meningitis
A new vaccine for bacterial meningitis (MCV4) was licensed in 2005 for people aged 11-55. ACIP recommendations now call for routine vaccination for all young adolescents (aged 11-12) as well as those previously defined as at increased risk.
Pertussis
- In April 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first pertussis booster shot for kids aged 10 to 18. The booster shot, called Boostrix, is a lower dose of infant petussis vaccine. (The infant pertussis vaccine can start to wear off after about 5 years.)
- The FDA also approved a booster vaccine called Adacel for protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis from adolescence through adulthood.
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