Childhood Immunizations: Recommendations for 2002

Although the content ofthe latest childhoodimmunization schedulehas remained essentiallythe same since January2001 (Table),¹ the format has beenredesigned to highlight:

• Key periods to administer "catchup"vaccinations.
• Consideration of influenza immunizationfor all children older than6 months--not just those at highrisk.
• Administration of the first dose ofhepatitis B vaccine to all newbornssoon after birth and before hospitaldischarge. This is recommendedto protect the newborn from possiblematernal hepatitis B testingerrors and from exposure to hepatitisB chronic carriers at home--aswell as to expedite the completionof the childhood immunizationseries.

Deferral of some doses oftetanus and diphtheria toxoids, diphtheriaand tetanus toxoids and acellularpertussis vaccine, and pneumococcalconjugate vaccine has beenrecommended because of the vaccinesupply shortage. Note in the patient'srecord that vaccination was deferred,and contact that patient once the supplyis restored.

References:

REFERENCE:

1.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Notice to readers: recommended childhood immunizationschedule-United States, 2002. MMWR.2002;51:31-33.