If you are a regular reader of Pediatrics, you will know that we now publish periodic updates from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of medical and public health professionals that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines.
This month, Alexandra B. Yonts, MD, from Children’s National Hospital and colleagues from the University of South Florida, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Cincinnati, and University of Colorado provide us with an update from the June 2024 meeting (10.1542/peds.2024-068310).
Among the updates that are pertinent to children 18 years and younger:
- Influenza vaccines: There is no change to the recommendation for routine annual flu vaccine for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.
- COVID-19 vaccines: The 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine should be given to all persons aged ≥6 months.
- Meningococcus B vaccine: MenB vaccine should be given to adolescents who are planning to attend college or who will be living in a congregate living setting (congregate foster care, boarding school, correctional facility, etc.) long enough to receive the MenB vaccine series. However, any adolescent may receive the MenB vaccine, even if they are not yet sure of their future living situation.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine: RSV vaccine for pregnant persons is considered a lifetime dose. Thus, individuals who received RSV vaccine during a prior pregnancy do not need a repeat RSV vaccine. Infants who are born to individuals who received RSV vaccine during a prior pregnancy should receive nirsevimab.
- Hemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) vaccine: DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (Vaxelis) can be considered an option for Hib vaccination of American Indian and Alaska Native infants.
There is much more in the update, including information about influenza vaccines for adults who have received solid organ transplants, RSV vaccines for older adults, and dengue vaccines. I would encourage you to read the entire article to become fully updated on vaccine recommendations.
