Child and adolescent immunizations: selected review of recent US recommendations and literature.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a clinically relevant summary of the latest research and recommendations regarding childhood and adolescent immunizations.


RESULTS
Childhood vaccination has dramatically reduced pediatric morbidity and mortality in the United States. Recent research on childhood and adolescent immunizations has focused on expanding the use of current vaccines for additional subpopulations as well as the development of new vaccines. In particular, data confirming the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines in various groups of children have shaped national guidelines. Furthermore, studies on vaccine uptake, cost-effectiveness, and impact of vaccination have reinforced the importance of adhering to these guidelines. More work needs to be done by providers and parents to increase vaccination coverage rates to better protect children and adolescents from these serious diseases. In this article, selected recent publications and recommendations on the following vaccines are reviewed: influenza, meningococcal conjugate, childhood and adolescent/adult formulations of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis, pneumococcal conjugate, and human papillomavirus.


CONCLUSIONS
Research on childhood and adolescent vaccinations continues to shape future guidelines. Through this work, we can learn how to optimize the protection of all children and adolescents against vaccine-preventable diseases.
aDivision of General Pediatrics, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, New York bDepartment of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
Carol M
CM
Kao
Rebecca J
RJ
Schneyer
Joseph A
JA
Bocchini
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines