The collaboration of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) continues with the 2000 harmonized immunization schedule (see page 234). Several important changes occurred this year.

A sufficient supply of thimerosal-free hepatitis B vaccine is now available to vaccinate all infants with at least the first dose. Therefore, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine should be given in the range of birth through two months of age.

Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) is recommended because it has about one fourth to one half the adverse effects of diphtheria, tetanus, whole cell pertussis vaccine (DTwP). The Vaccines for Children Program will no longer supply DTwP, and my practice no longer stocks DTwP.

Use of the all-inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) schedule is now recommended for several reasons. First, wild poliomyelitis has not been contracted indigenously in the United States since 1979. In 1994, North and South America were declared free of indigenous poliomyelitis; the last case occurred in Peru in 1991. Second, oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) has a slight risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). While the sequential IPV-OPV schedule eliminates VAPP in immunocompetent recipients, the schedule does not eliminate VAPP in immunocompromised persons or in contacts of vaccine recipients. Third, IPV cannot cause VAPP. Fourth, the majority of parents would rather have their child undergo more injections than risk their child contracting VAPP.¹

A fifth reason is that data show a high acceptance rate (91 percent) of an IPV-starting schedule among parents who bring their children to public health vaccine clinics, including clinics that serve inner-city, disadvantaged areas, without decreases in immunization rates.² When the decision was made to recommend a schedule with more IPV, patients of public health clinics had been one of the major concerns. Sixth, it is easier to administer and store one vaccine (IPV) than to explain the choices to parents and stock two vaccines.

Rotavirus vaccine is no longer recommended because of the association with intussusception; the manufacturer has withdrawn rotavirus vaccine from the market.

Because of hepatitis A outbreaks, the ACIP recommends using the hepatitis A vaccine in high-risk locales and states; local health officials should be consulted to determine high-risk areas.³ The vaccine is not licensed for use in patients younger than 24 months of age. The exact age for vaccination is set at the local or state level. In a few years, when combination vaccines containing hepatitis A are available for use in infants, national recommendations will probably be made.

Because the number of injections has increased, pain at the injection site is an important consideration; pain can be reduced by using vapocoolant sprays before the injection⁴ and by using combination vaccines. Explaining to parents that additional injections reduce the risk of VAPP and of diseases such as hepatitis may lead to a higher rate of parental acceptance.

If the vaccination schedule is interrupted, it is not necessary to restart. Instead, the schedule should be resumed using minimal intervals between doses to catch up as quickly as possible (see the accompanying table).

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and new combination vaccines have been tested and may be licensed sometime in the year 2000.