Purpose of review: To provide an update of current recommendations and research findings on universal annual influenza immunization of children.
Recent findings: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommend annual influenza vaccination for all children 6 months through 18 years. New research has examined the effect of 'herd immunity' associated with immunizing all school-aged children, the suboptimal antigenic match between the trivalent vaccine strains and circulating virus strains of last 2007-2008 influenza season, the efficacy of live attenuated influenza vaccine versus trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, and the tolerance for influenza vaccine in infants less than 6 months of age. With a goal of improving the overall rates of influenza immunization and an eye toward the anticipated increase in volume with expansion of the universal recommendations in children, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize the value of extending the timeframe for immunization beyond December and into April, establishing school-based immunization programs and other alternative vaccination sites outside medical homes, and conducting large, population-based studies that examine the overall impact of universal childhood influenza immunization.
Summary: Annual influenza vaccination recommendations have been expanded, and research continues on vaccine efficacy, administration, and cost associated with vaccinating all school-aged children.