CDC Tweaks Kids' Vaccine Recommendation

By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Dec. 19, 2007 -- The CDC today announced a temporary change to its recommendations for a common childhood vaccine.

The vaccine is the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib vaccine).

For now, the CDC has deferred the Hib vaccine booster shot for most kids aged 12-15 months due to a recall-related shortage of the vaccine.

There are some exceptions. Kids at high risk for Hib -- including children with sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, and American Indian/Alaska Native children -- should still get the Hib vaccine booster shot at ages 12-15 months.

Last week, the drug company Merck recalled 1.2 million doses of its Hib vaccines -- PedvaxHIB and Comvax -- because of聽concerns about product sterility. The recall was a precaution; no tainted vaccines have been found.

The drug company Sanofi Aventis also makes Hib vaccines. Those vaccines haven't been recalled. But Sanofi Aventis likely can't provide enough of its Hib vaccines right away to cover the recall-related shortage, according to the CDC.

The Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib vaccine) prevents serious bacterial infections, including:

Meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord
Pneumonia, a lung infection

The CDC recommends the Hib vaccine for all children under 5 years old in the U.S., with doses starting when children are 2 months old. The Hib vaccine isn't related to the flu vaccine.

Pre：Wii May Have Wee Effect on Calories
Next：5 Tantrum Red Flags

Children should focus on reproductive healt
Parents need to be improved awareness of reproductive health of children this year, with people's health awareness, reproductive health issues are receiving increased attention. Survey showed that 80% of adult men have varying degrees of reproductive... [Read more]

Virgin now men do know?
Because there is less ignorance is the time to pay off her boyfriend, took place should not have happened, nor did the Virgin Ying Hung, now married to a man's small fear, if I do repair a virgin, he would know? If both love, and you also fr... [Read more]

The history of the top ten "Love" record
According to Russia's "Pravda" report, description, record of human history characteristics of little-known, but it is more surprising is the "Pravda" has collected a number of known as the "miracle" of the history of &q... [Read more]

Internet addiction in looking at children?
Almost at the same time, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Psychological experts have pointed out that: in foreign countries, whether developed or developing countries, are rarely seen in China's Internet industry and prosperity. Internet Addiction fo... [Read more]

Latest

Health Risks Trail Preemies to Adulthood
By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD March 25, 2008 -- Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of death throughout childhood and a decreased likelihood of rep... [Read more]

Babies, Tots Low on Vitamin D
By Miranda Hitti WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD June 2, 2008 -- Many babies and toddlers need to get more vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones, a new study shows.... [Read more]

Fall From Bunk Bed Can Land Kid in ER
By Kelley Colihan WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD June 2, 2008 -- Did you have a bunk bed as a child? Do you remember falling out of it, or seeing your brother roll off the edge? If... [Read more]

Baby Shampoo Awash in Chemicals?
By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Feb. 4, 2008 -- New research suggests a link between the use of baby lotions, powders, and shampoos and higher levels of potentially... [Read more]