All Schoolkids Should Get Flu Shot, Feds Say

CDC panel proposes vaccinations for additional 30M kids

By Zach Samalin, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2008 7:17 PM CST

(Newser) – All schoolchildren in the US should get flu shots, a CDC panel advises. Current guidelines call for shots for those ages 6 months to 5 years, but the new recommendation raises the age to 18, an expansion of 30 million youngsters, the AP reports. The CDC is expected to adopt the advice, but it may not have a practical effect until next year's round of shots.

About 25 to 50 children die from influenza per year, a relatively small number out of 36,000 annual deaths. But the panel hopes vaccinating children will prevent the disease from spreading, especially to the vulnerable elderly, and reduce sick days for parents. Pediatricians say they need time to prepare for the blitz. "This is the only vaccination that pediatricians in my community don't want to have to give," one panel member said.

A nurse fills a syringe with flu vaccine in this 2007 file photo. All children, not just those under 5, should get vaccinated against the flu, a federal advisory panel said Wednesday Feb. 27, 2008. (AP... (Associated Press)

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All Schoolkids Should Get Flu Shot, Feds Say

CDC panel proposes vaccinations for additional 30M kids

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Coming Soon: Universal Flu Vaccine

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Climate, season seen as key in incubating strains of virus

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Only 40% effective as unexpected virus strains hit the public

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All Schoolkids Should Get Flu Shot, Feds Say

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

public health • children • vaccination • immunization • flu shot • influenza • flu medications • flu

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Coming Soon: Universal Flu Vaccine

Drug is successfully tested on humans for the first time

Record 145M Targeted for Flu Shots

CDC pushes vaccine for 86% of Americans

Asia Unique in Geography of Flu Outbreaks

Climate, season seen as key in incubating strains of virus

This Year's Flu Vaccine Missing the Mark

Only 40% effective as unexpected virus strains hit the public

Vaccine Scarier Than Swine Flu: Poll

Concern high and building, but 60+% don't plan to get a shot

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Newser By Users

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