Source AAFP.org, WRDW.com, CDC.gov
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is making big changes to the list of vaccinations they say you and your family should get.
There are two big changes the CDC is making to the list of vaccinations this week. They are for HPV and meningococcal meningitis vaccinations. All of these changes have been endorsed by a several medical groups as the right way to go.
For meningitis, the vaccine schedule is including some new advice for young people age 16 to 23. The CDC is talking to college aged people, saying they could be at risk for the virus because of their changing living environments. They are suggesting this group talk to their doctors about getting the MEN B vaccine.
The new option for the HPV is another big change that parents need to take note of. According to the CDC, the new vaccine called 9VHP is going to protect against 9 different types of the virus.
The CDC is also recommending the MEN-B vaccination for people over the age of 10 with increased risk for developing the meningococcal virus, including people with spleen damage, immune system conditions, like sickle cell, or people using the drug Solaris.
And although HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at age 11 or 12, it can be given as early as age 9 and is included in catch-up schedules for women through age 26 and men through age 21. For men at high risk for HPV, such as those who have sex with other men, are immunocompromised or infected with HIV, HPV vaccine may be given through age 26. There is no recommendation to revaccinate patients who have already completed the series.
Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approves immunization schedules recommended for persons living in the United States. The adult immunization schedule provides a summary of ACIP recommendations on the use of licensed vaccines routinely recommended for adults aged 19 years or older.
For protection against pneumococcal disease, the ACIP recommends that a dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13; Prevnar) be followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23; Pneumovax) in patients 65 and older who have not previously received pneumococcal vaccine and in patients 2 and older who are at high risk for the disease because of medical conditions.
Finally, the ACIP recommended HPV9 as one of three options that can be used for vaccinating adolescents. Noting that HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at ages 11-12, the updated schedule also highlights the ACIP’s recommendation to vaccinate patients beginning at age 9 for any child with a history of sexual assault. There is no recommendation to revaccinate patients who have already completed the full series.
Click here for a PDF of the CDC’s new recommended schedule of vaccinations for children and adults. Make sure to talk to your doctor about what the best course of action is for you and your family.