Influenza Vaccination Recommendations for Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual influenza immunization (April 2007)for

(1) children with high-risk conditions who are 6 months and older;
(2) healthy children 6 through 59 months of age;
(3) household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children with high-risk conditions and all healthy children younger than 5 years; and
(4) health care professionals,

Other children, adolescents, and adults can be immunized to decrease the impact of influenza as indicated in the Red Book: 2006 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases.

Vaccination also recommended for older child or adolescents with underlying medical conditions eg:-
asthma or other chronic pulmonary diseases;
hemodynamically significant cardiac disease;
immunosuppressive disorders or therapy;
HIV infection;
sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies;
diseases requiring long-term salicylate therapy;
chronic renal dysfunction;
chronic metabolic disease, such as diabetes mellitus;
and any condition that can compromise respiratory function or handling of secretions or can increase the risk for aspiration.

Joseph A. Bocchini, Jr., MD,
Chairperson of the 2006-2007 Committee on Infectious Diseases