AAP releases 2019 childhood immunization schedules

(HealthDay)—The 2019 recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedules have been issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published online Feb. 5 in Pediatrics.

Yvonne A. Maldonado, M.D., and colleagues from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, outline the updated 2019 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule. In addition to changes in immunization recommendations, changes have been made to the cover page, including guidance for use of the schedule.

The authors note that the influenza row has been modified to reflect current recommendations for live attenuated influenza vaccine use in age- and health status-appropriate children aged 24 months and older. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for infants age 6 to 11 months before departure to an international destination. Pregnant adolescents aged 13 to 18 years should receive the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. The human papillomavirus vaccination should be delayed for pregnant adolescents. The catch-up immunization schedule is also presented for children age 4 months through 18 years of age who start late or are more than one month behind the recommended schedule. Changes are also seen for administration of Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

"The schedules are revised annually to reflect current recommendations for the use of vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," the authors write.

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