The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination for all persons > 6 months of age.  U.S. influenza vaccines for the 2012-2013 season contain A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like, A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like, and B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like (Yamagata lineage) antigens.  Healthcare providers should begin administering influenza vaccine as soon as they receive it and should continue administering vaccine throughout the influenza season (e.g., as long as influenza viruses are circulating in the community).  Following is a summary of influenza vaccination recommendations for children 6 months through 8 years of age as well as a list of influenza vaccination resources that providers may find useful.

 

 

Children 6 months through 8 years of age require 2 doses of influenza vaccine (administered at least 4 weeks apart) during their first season of vaccination to provide maximum protection against influenza disease.  Additionally, it is important for children to be protected against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus which is expected to continue circulating this season.