The 2009 recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedules have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. There are 3 schedules: 1 for children 0 through 6 years of age, 1 for people 7 through 18 years of age, and a catch-up immunization schedule for children and adolescents who start late or fall behind. These schedules reflect current recommendations for use of vaccines licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration and include the following changes from last year:
Influenza vaccine now is recommended for annual administration to children 6 months through 18 years of age. Influenza vaccine also is recommended for all eligible close contacts of children 0 through 4 years (ie, through 59 months) of age and contacts of children 5 through 18 years of age who have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
A second oral rotavirus vaccine has been licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The dosing schedules for the 2 licensed rotavirus vaccines have been harmonized. The first dose of either vaccine should be administered at 6 weeks through 14 weeks 6 days of age. Immunization should not be initiated for infants 15 weeks 0 days of age or older. The final dose should be administered by 8 months 0 days of age (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/provisional/downloads/roto-7-1-08-508.pdf).
Most of the footnotes for the individual vaccines have been revised to provide additional information and to clarify recommendations provided in the schedules.
Clinically significant adverse events that follow immunization should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Guidance about how to obtain and complete a VAERS form can be obtained on the Internet at www.vaers.hhs.gov or by calling 800-822-7967. Statements from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with details of recommendations for individual vaccines, including recommendations for children with high-risk conditions, are available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm. Additional information can be found in the Red Book (28th edition forthcoming in 2009) and at Red Book Online (www.aapredbook.org). Information on new vaccine releases, vaccine supplies, interim recommendations resulting from vaccine shortages, and statements on specific vaccines can be found at www.aapredbook.org/news/vaccstatus.shtml and www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm.
COMMITTEE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 2008–2009
Joseph A. Bocchini, Jr, MD, Chairperson
John S. Bradley, MD
Michael T. Brady, MD
Henry H. Bernstein, DO
Carrie L. Byington, MD
Penelope H. Dennehy, MD
Margaret C. Fisher, MD
Robert W. Frenck, Jr, MD
Mary P. Glode, MD
Harry L. Keyserling, MD
David W. Kimberlin, MD
Walter A. Orenstein, MD
Lorry G. Rubin, MD
LIAISONS
Beth P. Bell, MD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Robert Bortolussi, MD
Canadian Paediatric Society
Richard D. Clover, MD
American Academy of Family Physicians
Marc A. Fischer, MD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Richard L. Gorman, MD
National Institutes of Health
Lucia Lee, MD
Food and Drug Administration
Jennifer S. Read, MD, MS, MPH, DTM&H
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
Benjamin Schwartz, MD
National Vaccine Program Office
Jeffrey R. Starke, MD
American Thoracic Society
CONSULTANTS
Edgar O. Ledbetter, MD
H. Cody Meissner, MD
EX OFFICIO
Larry K. Pickering, MD
Red Book Editor
Carol J. Baker, MD
Red Book Associate Editor
Sarah S. Long, MD
Red Book Associate Editor
STAFF
Hope Hurley, Interim Manager
All policy statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics automatically expire 5 years after publication unless reaffirmed, revised, or retired at or before that time.
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