AAP, CDC Recommend Flu Shot for Everyone Aged Six Months and Older

A vaccine is the “primary choice” for preventing influenza in everyone, including children and adolescents older than six months, this flu season, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated. 

“Annual influenza immunization is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, including children and adolescents,” the organization said in a statement. “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), trivalent or quadrivalent, as the primary choice for influenza vaccination in children because the effectiveness of a live attenuated influenza vaccine against influenza A(H1N1) was inferior during past influenza seasons and is unknown for this upcoming season.” 

All children ages 6 months and older should receive a flu shot this season for the best protection, AAP recommends. Influenza is common, unpredictable and can cause severe illness and even death. #FightFlu https://t.co/B0OpJCiry4

— American Academy of Pediatrics (@AmerAcadPeds) September 3, 2018

The group also said the vaccine is safe – and recommended – for pregnant women. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the same recommendation late last month and has done so since 2010. Patients at high-risk for hospitalization and serious illness stemming from influenza include “older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and those with certain chronic medical conditions,” according to the CDC. 

New guidelines urge parents to get children vaccinated as early as possible this year and recommend flu shots over the nasal mist. pic.twitter.com/4Sk6OB9OMq

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 4, 2018

For the 2016-2017 flu season, the CDC estimates that 5.3 million illnesses, 2.6 million medical visits, and 85,000 hospitalizations all pertaining to influenza were averted thanks to the vaccination. About 600,000 people were hospitalized, 14.5 million went to their healthcare provider, and 30.9 million contracted influenza. The disease has been responsible for anywhere between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths each year since 2010. 

#FluInReview: Tragically, 179 flu deaths in children have been reported to CDC for last season; about 80% of those deaths occurred in children who had not been vaccinated against flu. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/yxzZUinwU7

— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) September 3, 2018

Sources: AAP, CDC, MedPageToday