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CDC and AAP Release Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations for 2017

Posted by Leah Durant ⋅ April 17, 2017

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated recommendations for childhood vaccinations. The new recommendations are effective for 2017; and, while they are largely similar to 2016’s recommendations, there are a few noteworthy changes.

Important Changes to the Recommended Childhood Vaccines

1. Children Should Not Receive the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine.

Following reports that the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) has had only very limited effectiveness, the CDC and AAP are recommending against use of LAIV among children and adolescents. LAIV is administered as a nasal spray, and was sold under the brand FluMist by AstraZeneca. According to the CDC, LAIV’s effectiveness among children ages two through 17 was as low as three percent during the 2015-2016 flu season, and with the error rate this means that, “no protective benefit could be measured.”

2. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Now Recommended Beginning at Age 9.

While previous recommended starting at age 11, the CDC and AAP now recommend that children begin either a two-dose or three-dose schedule of the HPV vaccine at age nine. According to one of the AAP’s members involved in preparing the revised recommendations, this change is intended, “to try to improve vaccination rates against HPV, which are low because it is often hard to capture teenagers and vaccinate them.” The revised recommendation applies to all children ages nine and 10, regardless of whether they are considered to be at heightened risk for HPV infection.

3. Additional Meningococcal Booster Recommended at Age 16.

The third significant change to the CDC’s and AAP’s pediatric vaccination recommendations is the addition of a meningococcal booster vaccine at age 16. Previously, only a single dose was recommended between the ages of 11 and 12 (or earlier for children with sickle cell disease and certain other conditions that can increase the risk of meningococcal disease). The recommendations with respect to the meningococcal B vaccine remain the same (vaccination between the ages of 10 and 18 for children and adolescents considered to be high-risk).

Parents can download the complete recommended pediatric vaccine schedule from the CDC’s website: Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger.

What to Do After a Vaccine Injury

All vaccinations carry certain risks, and when children and adolescents are diagnosed with vaccine-related illnesses and injuries, their parents can seek financial compensation through the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP provides coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses, and families are entitled to legal representation for vaccine injury claims at little or no financial cost. To learn more about the VICP, we encourage you to read:

Schedule a Free Vaccine Injury Consultation Today

If you would like to speak with an attorney about your rights following a vaccine injury, contact the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC for a free, no-obligation consultation. With offices in Washington D.C., our firm represents individuals and families in VICP claims nationwide. To discuss your claim in confidence with attorney Leah V. Durant, please call (202) 800-1711 or inquire online today.

Leah Durant Bio

Vaccine attorney Leah Durant is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC represents clients who have been diagnosed with vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.