The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has voted to expand the recommended ages for annual flu vaccination. Instead of recommending vaccination only for children ages 6 months to 59 months, the panel recommends vaccination for children ages 6 months to 18 years. The expanded recommendation will take effect no later than the 2009/2010 flu season. In the meantime, officials suggest that health care professionals start immunizing children up to age 18 for the 2008/2009 flu season.
   The vote reflects study results showing that healthy children have a significant risk of flu and that reducing transmission among children will also reduce the risk among household and community contacts. A vaccine efficacy study in children ages 6 months to 23 months suggests that full vaccination is about 75% effective in preventing flu-related hospitalizations in this age group. However, children who received only one dose received no such protection. Children younger than age 9 who will receive a flu vaccination for the first time should receive two doses at least 4 weeks apart.

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