Flu vaccine and young children

FDA Consumer, July-August, 2004

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that children who are 6 months to 23 months of age get vaccinated annually against the flu (influenza). This recommendation, which will be in effect for the 2004-2005 influenza season, comes from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of experts that advises the CDC on issues related to vaccines.

Studies have shown that infants and children younger than 2 years old are at increased risk for flu related hospitalizations. Preliminary reports from the 2003-2004 flu season indicate that among 143 deaths in children due to the flu, 58 occurred in children younger than 2.

Two doses of inactivated flu vaccine given more than one month apart are recommended for previously unvaccinated children younger than 9. If possible, the second dose should be administered before December of each year. All subsequent annual flu vaccinations require only one dose of vaccine.

In addition to children younger than 2, the recommendations advise that family members and other close contacts of children up to 23 months old receive a flu vaccination. Flu vaccination is not recommended for children younger than 6 months because there are no flu vaccines licensed for use in this age group. The current inactivated flu vaccines are approved for use in children 6 months of age and older. FluMist (influenza virus vaccine live, intranasal), which is sprayed into both nostrils, is not approved for use in children younger than 5.