Flu vaccines urged for more children

All children between 6 months and 5 years old should be vaccinated against influenza, a panel of U.S. vaccine advisors said last week.

The unanimous vote by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization advisory committee in Atlanta delighted pediatricians and infectious disease specialists, who have been pressing for universal flu vaccination standards.

“Starting with the next influenza season we will not only have children 6 to 24 months but all children up to 5 years of age,” said Dr. Carol J. Baker, president-elect of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, who asked the panel to expand its recommendations.

“Vaccination of children 24 to 59 months old will likely reduce the risk of influenza-related complications for all children in this age group, not just those identified with the highest risk of complications from influenza,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Immunization Program.

The CDC says influenza killed 153 children in the 2003-2004 flu season -- more U.S. children than chicken pox, whooping cough and measles combined. Nearly two-thirds of those who died were younger than 5, and half had been previously healthy. Forty-three percent suffered from asthma.