September 20, 2007
Flu Vaccination Urged for All Children

A coalition that includes almost all professional organizations involved in child and adolescent health has pointed out the importance of immunizing children--including infants 6 months to 5 years of age, schoolchildren, and adolescents--against influenza, starting early in the coming flu season and continuing through the fall and winter months. Although the main goal of vaccination is to protect children from an illness that caused 153 child deaths in the 2003-2004 flu season, there is also evidence to suggest that vaccinating children will provide additional benefits to society, the coalition said. "Widespread childhood vaccination can interrupt influenza transmission, since influenza outbreaks usually begin in children and then move on to the community at large." Noting that well-informed health care professionals are best equipped to educate parents and guardians about the importance of influenza immunization, the coalition is urging that practitioners use every opportunity, including back-to-school visits, to encourage parents to get annual flu vaccinations for their children beginning as soon as the vaccine becomes available in the fall and well into January and later, since the vaccine continues to be of benefit while the virus circulates.
 
In an unrelated development, the federal Food and Drug Administration September 19 announced that it has approved the use of the nasal influenza vaccine FluMist for children between the ages of 2 and 5. The nasal vaccine had previously been approved for children 5 years of age and older and adults up to age 49. The announcement noted, however, that FluMist should not be administered to anyone with asthma or to children under the age of 5 with recurrent wheezing.
 
The coalition's recommendations and a complete list of members are available at www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org.