Flu Vaccine Recommended for Kids Under Five

Children aged six months to five years should receive vaccinations against influenza, according to a panel of vaccine advisers in a report by Reuters on February 22, 2006.

The decision by the panel - an immunization advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -was welcomed by pediatricians and infectious disease specialists who have sought universal flu vaccination standards.

"Starting with the next influenza season we will not only have children 6 to 24 months but all children up to 5 years of age," Dr Carol J Baker reportedly said, and asked the CDC advisory panel to expand its recommendations. Dr Baker is a pediatrician at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and president-elect of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

"Vaccination of children 24 to 59 months old will likely reduce the risk of influenza-related complications for all children in this age group, not just those identified with the highest risk of complications from influenza," Dr Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Immunization Program, reportedly said.

Dr Baker had hoped that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would recommend improved vaccination of young children with asthma. Instead, she said that the panel had decided to recommend that all children under age five years receive a flu shot, reported MedPage Today.

"The reason for [vaccinating] young children is they have the same amount of hospitalizations and illnesses as older groups, excluding the elderly," Dr Baker reportedly said in a telephone interview. "The infrastructure for vaccinating these young children is in place - the annual visit to the pediatrician."

According to the CDC, influenza was responsible for the deaths of 153 children in the US during the 2003-2004 flu season, making it more lethal than chicken pox, whooping cough and measles combined. Nearly two-thirds of those who died were under age five years, and half were previously healthy, while 43% had asthma, according to MedPage Today.

"The effort of the ACIP to pass this crucial vote represents an important first step in protecting the safety and well-being of children," Richard Kanowitz, president of Families Fighting Flu, reportedly said. Mr Kanowitz's organization reportedly testified to the CDC panel. His four-year-old daughter, Amanda, died from influenza in March 2004.

This Season - 12 Flu Deaths

Flu deaths in the 2005-2006 flu season have remained well below epidemic levels, with only 12 children reported to have died from influenza (although not all deaths are reported). The CDC reported that 13 states have recently had widespread influenza activity, while just under 8% of influenza-like illness tested positive for flu-virus.

In addition to their recommendation to immunize children under five, the panel recommended that siblings, parents and caregivers in the homes of children aged six months to five years should be immunized.

Adult influenza-vaccination rates often fall well short of guidelines in the US. Less than half of the 185 million Americans for whom flu shots are recommended get immunized. Vaccine shortages and distribution troubles complicate delivery. Moreover, fear of lawsuits and production problems have caused many vaccine makers to leave the market.

By expanding the pool of people for whom vaccination is recommended, the CDC hopes that vaccine manufacturers may reenter the market. Dr Baker also noted that vaccinating children may benefit others people, as children are significant spreaders of influenza within any household.

Source: Kids under 5 should get flu shot: panel, Reuters, February 22, 2006.

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