Influenza vaccines: a pediatric perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the burden of disease attributable to influenza among children and to understand the basis for changing recommendations for immunization of young children. I will review the current recommendations regarding use of trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine and live, attenuated influenza vaccine.


RESULTS
Annual immunization of all children between 6 and 59 months of age and their household contacts is recommended starting with the 2006-2007 season, including a two-dose strategy for children under 9 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Expanded recommendations are expected to reduce the number of outpatient visits, hospitalization rates and mortality rates due to influenza for both children and adults.
Meissner
H Cody
HC
Pediatric Infectious Disease, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. cmeissner@tufts-nemc.org
D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines