American Academy of Family Physicians Recommends Influenza Vaccinations for Children Aged 6-23 Months

LEAWOOD, Kan. - The American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices today released a new recommendation that, beginning in fall 2004, all children aged 6-23 months, as well as household and out-of-home caregivers for such children, receive annual influenza vaccine. The change is reflected in the revised childhood and adolescent immunization schedule for July-December 2004.

According to Michael Fleming, M.D., president of the AAFP and family physician in Shreveport, La., the previous recommendation stated that the influenza vaccine should be given to children aged 6-23 months "when feasible."

"We have now strengthened our recommendation to make it a routine practice to immunize children aged 6-23 months against influenza," Fleming said. "It is important for parents to take the initiative to bring their children to the doctor's office for vaccines in the fall, prior to the onset of the influenza season."

Infection with influenza viruses can result in illness ranging from mild to severe and life-threatening complications. The influenza season typically begins in early fall, but in 2003 the virus began circulating the United States unusually early. More than 40 deaths among children under the age of 18 were reported.

An estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of U.S. residents get influenza each year: an average of 114,000 people are hospitalized for influenza-related complications and 36,000 Americans die each year from complications of influenza. By far, the single best way to prevent influenza is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from influenza, such as those with chronic disorders, to get a vaccination each fall.