Technically Speaking is a monthly column written by IAC’s Executive Director Deborah Wexler, MD. The column is featured in The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center’s (VEC’s) monthly e-newsletter for healthcare professionals. Technically Speaking columns cover practical topics in immunization delivery such as needle length, vaccine administration, cold chain, and immunization schedules.
Check out a recent issue of Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers. The VEC e-newsletter keeps providers up to date on vaccine-related issues and includes reviews of recently published journal articles, media recaps, announcements about new resources, and a regularly updated calendar of events.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
2011 Immunization Schedules Now Available
Published April 2011
Information presented in this article may have changed since the original publication date. For the most current immunization recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, visit www.immunize.org/acip/acip_vax.asp.
At the beginning of each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases an updated child/teen immunization schedule (developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians [AAFP]) and an updated adult schedule (developed with AAFP, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American College of Physicians). Every practice that provides vaccination services should have copies of the appropriate schedules close at hand for easy reference:
2011 Child/teen immunization schedule
The child/teen immunization schedule has three sections:
This table includes the recommended minimum intervals between doses for children who have fallen behind on their immunization schedule and need to be brought up to date in a timely way.
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has developed a laminated version of the child/teen immunization schedule that includes a table of contraindications and precautions to consider before vaccines are administered. Images and ordering options are posted on IAC’s website.
IAC has developed a laminated version of the adult immunization schedule that includes a table of contraindications and precautions to consider before vaccines are administered. Images and ordering options are posted on IAC’s website.
