Showing posts with label immunization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immunization. Show all posts

Friday, January 30, 2009

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Recommendations

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for all females aged 11 through 26 years, regardless of sexual activity or clinical evidence of previous HPV infection, who have not completed the vaccine series. Ideally, vaccination should be given before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity and may be given as early as age 9 years. The complete series consists of 3 doses, with the second dose given 2 months after the first dose and the third dose 6 months after the first dose.
(Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009;57(53))

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Hepatitis Vaccination Recommendations

Hepatitis A vaccination is indicated for persons with chronic liver disease, those who receive clotting factor concentrates, men who have sex with men, illegal drug users, laboratory workers exposed to hepatitis A virus–infected primates, persons traveling to or working in countries with high or intermediate endemicity of hepatitis A, and those seeking protection from hepatitis A virus infection. Single-antigen vaccine formulations should be given in 2 doses either at 0 and 6 to 12 months (Havrix, GlaxoSmithKline) or at 0 and 6 to 18 months (Vaqta, Merck). Combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine (Twinrix, GlaxoSmithKline) should be given in 3 doses at 0, 1, and 6 months or in 4 doses on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30, followed by a booster dose at month 12.
Hepatitis B vaccination is indicated for persons with end-stage renal disease, HIV infection, or chronic liver disease; for healthcare personnel and public-safety workers exposed to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids; for sexually active persons not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship; for persons seeking evaluation or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection; for current or recent injection-drug users; and for men who have sex with men. Other indications and settings are also listed, as well as special formulation indications.
(Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009;57(53))

Friday, January 23, 2009

Influenza Vaccination

Influenza vaccination should be given to those with medical, occupational, or other indications. Medical indications are chronic disorders of the cardiovascular or pulmonary systems, chronic metabolic diseases, immunocompromising conditions, or any condition that compromises respiratory function or that increases risk for aspiration. All healthcare personnel and caregivers of children younger than 5 years should receive influenza vaccination, as should residents of nursing homes and other long-term care and assisted-living facilities, persons likely to transmit influenza to persons at high risk, and others who wish to decrease their risk of getting influenza. Healthy, nonpregnant adults younger than 50 years without high-risk medical conditions who are not contacts of severely immunocompromised persons in special care units can receive either intranasally administered live, attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist, MedImmune) or inactivated vaccine, but others should receive the inactivated vaccine.
(Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009;57(53))

Friday, January 9, 2009

New Recommendation of Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians approved new recommendations of childhood and adolescent immunization schedules. For children 6 months through 18 years of age it is recommended to have annual influenza vaccine administration. All eligible close contacts of children 0 through 59 months of age should also receive influenza vaccine, as should contacts of children 5 through 18 years of age who have an underlying medical condition predisposing them to complications of influenza.
Another new recommendation is a harmonization of the dosing schedules for the 2 licensed rotavirus vaccines. The first dose of either vaccine should be administered at 6 weeks through 14 weeks 6 days of age, and the final dose by 8 months 0 days of age. Immunization should not be started for infants 15 weeks 0 days of age or older.
(Pediatrics. 2009;123;189–190)