Issue Number 170            June 19, 2000

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

1. American Academy of Pediatrics publishes recommendation for pneumococcal vaccine for children under age 2
2. Photos of children with pneumococcal infections now available on AAP's website

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(1)
June 6, 2000
AAP PUBLISHES RECOMMENDATION FOR PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 2

On June 6, 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a press release, a policy statement, and a technical report stating that the new heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is recommended for use in all children 23 months of age or younger. The full text of the AAP press release reads as follows:

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AAP RECOMMENDS PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 2

CHICAGO - In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) today announced childhood immunization recommendations for use of the newest form of the pneumococcal vaccine.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent childhood diseases caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. Pneumococcal infections are the most common invasive bacterial infections in children in the United States. Pneumococcal infections cause about 1,400 cases of meningitis, 17,000 cases of bloodstream infections, and 71,000 cases of pneumonia every year in children under age 5.

The new AAP guidelines state that the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is recommended for use in all children 23 months of age and younger. Although other pneumococcal vaccines are available, PCV7 represents the first pneumococcal vaccine approved for use in children younger than age 2.

The policy recommends that PCV7 be given concurrently with other recommended childhood vaccines at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months. The number of PCV7 doses required depends upon the age at which vaccination is initiated.

The vaccine is also recommended for all children 24 to 59 months of age who are at especially high risk of invasive pneumococcal infection. This includes children with sickle cell disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and other children who are immunocompromised.

Immunization continues to be the most effective method of  preventing disease, disability and death in children. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 55,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. 
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To obtain the text version (HTML format) of this press release, go to: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/junpcv7.htm

To obtain a camera-ready copy (PDF format) of AAP's policy statement titled "Recommendations for the Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections, Including the Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Prevnar), Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine, and Antibiotic Prophylaxis," go to: http://www.aap.org/policy/pcv76-5.pdf

To obtain a camera-ready copy (PDF format) of AAP's technical report titled " Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections, Including the Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate and Polysaccharide Vaccines and Antibiotic Prophylaxis," go to: http://www.aap.org/policy/tech6-5.pdf
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(2)
June 19, 2000
PHOTOS OF CHILDREN WITH PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE ON AAP'S WEBSITE

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has posted five photographs on its website of infants and children infected with pneumoccocal disease. Photographs like these make a powerful addition to slide and poster presentations on the risks of vaccine-preventable disease.

The images are provided by the "Visual Red Book on CD-ROM" (2000 Red Book: 25th Edition, Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases). To view or download the photos, visit AAP's website at: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/pneumphotos.htm