What's New With the 2012 Immunization Schedule
Feb 02, 2012
It’s important for doctors, nurses, health care professionals and parents to keep informed about changes to the recommended immunization schedule. Today’s report from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) details the changes to the 2012 schedule as suggested by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Some of the more significant changes concern the following:
Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine administration among health care personnel and pregnant women. Specifically, if pregnant women have never received the Tdap vaccine, it is recommended that they be immunized during their second or third trimester rather than in the immediate postpartum period. Addionally, for children who received Tdap as a catch-up dose at age 7 through 10 years, “an adolescent dose should not be given.”
Routine administration of hepatitis B vaccine in people with diabetes.
The addition of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine for boys and young men. In regards to boys, the HPV4 vaccination is recommended in boys 11 to 12 years of age, with catch-up vaccinations at age 13 to 21. However, it is acceptable to begin HPV4 vaccination in boys as young as 9 years of age.
A booster dose of the meningococcal vaccine for children at age 16 is now recommended. The previous schedule recommended immunization at age 11 or 12, but due to waning immunity and higher risk in the late teen years, the new booster recommendation is intended to ensure that protection is maintained through the high-risk window, which occurs between 16 and 21 years, when many are living in close quarters, such as in college dormitories.
It also should be noted that the ACIP recommends that children 6 months to 8 years of age receive two doses of influenza vaccine during the current season if they did not receive at least one dose of the vaccine during the 2010-11 season. It also clarifies the guidance for clarifies the guidance for giving the flu shot to kids with egg allergies. For more complete details on the changes, please refer to the following resources:
2012 Immunization Schedule for Children 0-6 years
2012 Immunization Schedule for Adolescents 7-18 years
2012 Adult Immunization Schedule
If you should have any questions, let us know and we will attempt to direct them to our scientific advisory board for clarification or response.
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