Home / One Dose or Two? How Many Doses of Influenza Vaccine Do Children Need in the 2012-13 Season?
One Dose or Two? How Many Doses of Influenza Vaccine Do Children Need in the 2012-13 Season?
September 2012
Technically Speaking
Monthly Column by Deborah Wexler, MD
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
One Dose or Two? How Many Doses of Influenza Vaccine Do Children Need in the 2012-13 Season?
Published September 2012
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.
For several years in a row, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has adjusted its vaccination recommendations regarding which children need two doses of influenza vaccine.
Here are some simple rules to follow when vaccinating children against influenza this season:
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Infants younger than age 6 months should not receive influenza vaccine.
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Children age 9 years and older should receive only one dose of influenza vaccine.
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Children age 6 months through 8 years should receive two doses of influenza vaccine spaced four weeks or more apart if:
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They are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time, or
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They have not received at least two doses of seasonal influenza vaccine since July 1, 2010.
The CDC has also developed an alternative approach that healthcare providers can use for children with WELL-DOCUMENTED immunization histories (e.g., those maintained in electronic registries) of receiving influenza vaccine. Children age 6 months through 8 years need only one dose of influenza vaccine in 2012-13 if they have received:
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Two or more doses of seasonal influenza vaccine since July 1, 2010; or
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At least two doses of seasonal vaccine before July 1, 2010, and at least one dose of monovalent 2009 H1N1 vaccine; or
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At least one dose of seasonal vaccine before July 1, 2010, and at least one dose of seasonal vaccine since July 1, 2010.
