The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released new vaccine schedules for adults and children. The new recommendations include minor updates for seniors, children and infants. Here are the highlights (see chart for more information):
- Two pneumococcal vaccines recommended for adults ages 65+
- MMR vaccine recommended for infants traveling internationally
- New guidelines for children receiving the nasal spray form of flu vaccine
- New guidelines regarding meningococcal conjugate vaccine dosing for high-risk infants
The health care providers at Children’s Hospital of Georgia follow the latest immunization guidelines and can help you stay up to date with changes relevant for you and your family.
Adult vaccination schedule updates:
| Pneumococcal vaccine | |
| Previous recommendation | New recommendation for all adults ages 65+ |
| Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) has been recommended for seniors since 1997. | Two vaccines for all adults age 65 or older: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is now recommended in addition to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). |
| What you need to know: The timing of these two vaccines depends on patient age, previous vaccinations and medical conditions. Ask your doctor if you have questions. | |
Pediatric vaccination schedule updates
| Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) | |
| Current recommendation | New guidelines for young children traveling internationally |
| The recommendation that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine (at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years) has not changed. | Infants ages 6 months through 11 months should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before international travel. These children should be revaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine starting at age 12 months. Children ages 12 months and older should get two doses of MMR vaccine before international travel (the first dose at 12 months and second dose at least 4 weeks later). Check with your doctor if you have questions about the MMR vaccine. |
| Influenza vaccine | |
| Current recommendation | New guidelines on LAIV contraindications for children: |
| All children ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), which is administered as an injection, is recommended for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Live, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which is administered in nasal spray form, is recommended for children age 2 and older. | The new vaccine schedule includes a revised list of contraindications specific for the live, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) nasal spray, including:
• Children ages 2 to 4 with asthma or wheezing • Children ages 2 to 17 receiving aspirin-containing products • Those allergic to eggs • Those who are immunosuppressed • Those who have taken influenza antiviral medications in the previous 48 hours • Those who had a severe allergic reaction to flu vaccine in the past |
| What you need to know: Before your child gets a flu shot or nasal spray, a health care professional will ask if your child has any contraindications, and if so, the inactivated influenza vaccine in injection form would be given instead of the LAIV. | |
| Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) | |
| Current recommendation | New guidelines for high-risk infants |
| MCV recommended at age 11 or 12. A booster shot is recommended at age 16. Younger children with certain health conditions that put them at high risk should also be vaccinated. | The new schedule includes small changes to dosing schedules for high-risk infants. See your doctor with questions. |
For more information, view the full vaccination schedules for adults and children available on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules. Visit augustahealth.org/chog to schedule your visit today.
