The 2018 recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedules released today include several updates and modifications to the catch-up schedule and the schedule for people ages 0 through 18 years who have a specific medical indication.
In addition, some footnotes have been revised, and a table has been added to the title page showing the common abbreviations and brand names for vaccines recommended for children and adolescents.
No changes have been made to the schedule for children and adolescents 18 or younger.
The schedules are revised and approved annually by the Academy, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to reflect current recommendations for the use of vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration.
Two changes have been made to the catch-up immunization schedule for people ages 4 months to 18 years who start late or are more than one month behind:
- The rotavirus vaccine now includes the maximum ages for the first and last doses of the series.
- The polio vaccine rows clarify the catch-up schedule for people ages 4 and older.
Additionally, the schedule of vaccines that may be indicated for children and adolescents ages 18 years or younger based on medical indications now includes a reference for use of live vaccines in people with HIV.
Tables clarify the recommended use of Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal and pertussis-containing vaccines as a function of age, number of doses previously administered and the time interval since the last dose.
Footnote updates
Changes have been made to the following footnotes:
- Hepatitis B. Information has been added regarding the timing of the birth dose for infants with a birth weight of less than 2,000 grams who are born to HBsAg-negative mothers.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b. MenHibrix (Hib-MenCY) has been removed because the vaccine is no longer commercially available, and all remaining doses have expired.
- Influenza. Wording has been changed to indicate that live attenuated influenza vaccine is not recommended for the 2017-’18 influenza season.
- Meningococcal vaccines. Only MenACWY vaccines are discussed in footnote #11. MenB vaccines are discussed in footnote #12.
- Polio vaccines. Updated wording provides guidance for children who have received oral polio vaccine as part of their series.
- Measles-mumps-rubella vaccines. Guidance is provided on use of a third dose of a mumps-containing vaccine during a mumps outbreak.
Clinically significant adverse events that follow immunization should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Guidance on how to obtain and complete a VAERS form can be found at www.vaers.hhs.gov or by calling 800-822-7967.
