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))

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))

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))

Rotavirus among Children Worldwide

A hospital-based surveillance reports indicate that during 2001-2008, rotavirus accounted for approximately 40% of hospitalizations for diarrhea among children aged <5>85% of these deaths occurring in low-income countries of Africa and Asia. Two licensed rotavirus vaccines have shown efficacy of 85%-98% against severe rotavirus diarrhea in trials conducted in the Americas and Europe and they have been introduced into routine immunization programs in 11 countries in these regions and in Australia. Although the two licensed rotavirus vaccines differ in strain composition (i.e., one is monovalent, and one is pentavalent), both appear to provide protection against a variety of strains, including some strains not included in either of the licensed vaccines.
(MMWR. 2008;57(46):1255-1257)

Maternal Vaccination for Influenza is Safe

In pregnant women and young infants Influenza could induce a serious disease. The maternal antibodies can pass transplacentally, therefore, it can protect infants during the first months of life. Currently, it is recommended that pregnant women be immunized with the inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine. However, compliance with this recommendation is low. The vaccine is not licensed for infants less than 6 months of age, and antiviral agents are not licensed for children younger than 1 year of age. Thus prevention of influenza by other means is an important goal. A study performed in Bangladesh provides data indicating that maternal vaccination for influenza is safe and efficacious. The vaccine also reducing illness among both mothers and infants, therefore antenatal immunization should be considered as an important strategy for the prevention of influenza.
(N Engl J Med 359:1555, 2008)

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)