Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009

The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring to your attention this MMWR release.  On July 30, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009.

This report updates the 2008 recommendations by CDC’s Advisory Committee on and control of seasonal influenza. Information on vaccination issues related to the recently identified novel influenza A H1N1 virus will be published later in 2009. The 2009 seasonal influenza recommendations include new and updated information. Highlights of the 2009 recommendations include

1. a recommendation that annual vaccination be administered to all children aged 6 months–18 years for the 2009-10 influenza season;
2. a recommendation that vaccines containing the 2009–10 trivalent vaccine virus strains A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like, A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like, and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like antigens be used; and
3. a notice that recommendations for influenza diagnosis and antiviral use will be published before the start of the 2009-10 influenza season. Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue through the influenza season.

A pdf of the recommendations can be found at www.cdc.gov.

Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Community

The novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect people.  It is anticipated that seasonal vaccine and novel H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day.

TIV and LAIV can be used to reduce the risk for influenza virus infection and its complications. Vaccination providers should administer influenza vaccine to any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting influenza to others should they become infected.  However, emphasis on providing routine vaccination annually to certain groups at higher risk for influenza infection or complications is advised, including all children aged 6 months–18 years, all persons aged 50 years and older, and other adults at risk for medical complications from influenza. In addition, all persons who live with or care for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications, including contacts of children aged <6 months, should receive influenza vaccine annually. Approximately 85% of the U.S. population is included in one or more of these target groups; however, <40% of the U.S. population received an influenza vaccination during the 2008–09 influenza season.

This entry is filed under News.