CDC releases updated influenza bulletin

     The National Immunization Program (NIP) for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced the release of periodic bulletins to update information about the developments related to the production and administration of the influenza vaccine for the 2002-2003 influenza season.

     Important changes that have been made to the influenza recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are outlined in the bulletins.  One example of change, a tiered approach to vaccination is now being recommended as the standard for flu vaccines – implying understanding by the ACIP that flu vaccine will continue to be delivered over the course of September through December.  Flu vaccine is now encouraged for healthy children between 6 and 23 months because children in this age group are at a substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations.  These changes are expected to become an official recommendation in the next 2-3 years.