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Feds Target Kids for Flu Shots

Vaccines for young germ-spreaders may curb effect on broader population

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2008 2:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – Kids are the focus of flu vaccination efforts this year in an unprecedented push to lower the overall number of US infections, the Los Angeles Times reports. Children get the flu more often than adults, and research suggests they are biologically more effective at spreading it; for the first time, federal guidelines recommend individuals between 6 months and 18 years old get the vaccine.

Flu efforts have expanded from a focus on the elderly to preventing the spread of the disease among children. "This is the concept of herd immunity," explains a pediatrics expert. "The more people you vaccinate, the less likely you are to see infection in people who are not vaccinated."

With the germ-spreading capability of children well documented, officials think vaccinating them against the flu will reduce cases in the US population as a whole. (AP Photo)

Officials think vaccinating children could limit the spread of flu this year among the US population as a whole. (AP Photo)

Previous flu-vaccine focused on the elderly, who are more susceptible to flu's worse effects. (AP Photo)

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Feds Target Kids for Flu Shots

Vaccines for young germ-spreaders may curb effect on broader population

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Record 145M Targeted for Flu Shots

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Only 40% effective as unexpected virus strains hit the public

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

disease • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • children • vaccine • flu shot • disease control • influenza

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Record 145M Targeted for Flu Shots

CDC pushes vaccine for 86% of Americans

Flu Shot: Better Luck Next Year

FDA includes new strains in formula

This Year's Flu Vaccine Missing the Mark

Only 40% effective as unexpected virus strains hit the public

Coming Soon: Universal Flu Vaccine

Drug is successfully tested on humans for the first time

Shortage of Seasonal Flu Vaccine Looms

Supplies running low, manufacturers can't make more

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?