Children's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Regimen Updated

The dosing regimen for the 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccine for children aged 6 months to 8 years has been updated, in conjunction with a change in 2 of the 3 strains included in the vaccine.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months and up, according to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the routine use of the influenza vaccine in children and adolescents, which are based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

This year's influenza vaccine contains 3 strains: the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain, the A/Victoria/261/2011 strain, and the Yamagata-lineage B/Wisconsin/1/2010 strain, with the latter 2 strains replacing the H3N2 A/Perth/16/2009 and B Victoria-lineage B/Brisbane/60/2008 strains, respectively. 

Some children aged 6 months to 8 years require 2 doses of influenza vaccine, such as those who are being vaccinated for the first time.  The child who has received 2 or more doses of seasonal influenza vaccine since July 1, 2010 requires only 1 dose. However, some children who have received influenza vaccine previously will need 2 doses this year (eg, those who received only 1 dose previously and those with unknown vaccination history). The ACIP has a dosing algorithm to help guide clinicians in determining the number of doses to give a child in this age group.

For more information, visit the CDC’s Seasonal Influenza site.

-Michael Potts