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Kids First Pediatrics is excited to share that the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved the Childhood and Adolescent Immunzation schedule for 2024. The schedule now includes recent updates in vaccines and new products for the treatment of RSV.
"Staying up-to-date on our immunizations helps keep everyone healthy by preventing the spread of disease within our families and communities," said Pia S. Pannaraj, MD, MPH, FAAP, author of the policy statement and member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.
"We all share a goal for children to remain active, in school, and safe over the holidays when people are often indoors and in close proximity to others."
What's included the latest recommeded immunization schedule?
The updates to the child and adolescent schedules include recommendations for:
monovalent COVID-19 vaccines;
the monoclonal antibody immunization for RSV, nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for infants;
RSV vaccine RSVpreF (Abrysvo) for pregnant people;
2023-'24 flu vaccines, including a note about people with egg allergy;
pentavalent meningococcal vaccine (MenABCWY; Penbraya);
20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine;
mpox vaccine for adolescents age 18 years; and
poliovirus catch-up vaccination for adolescents age 18 years.
Additional changes to footnotes and tables in the updated schedules will be published in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Report (MMWR) in early 2024.
Immunization schedule to be updated earlier and more regularly
Traditionally, the online and MMWR publication takes place in February. However, the CDC announced plans to update the schedules earlier and more regularly as the timing impacts insurance payment and the ability of certain health care providers to administer immunizations in some states.
A recent CDC report showed kindergarten vaccination rates have not rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, and exemptions from school requirements reached an all-time high during the 2022-'23 school year. Another report found vaccine coverage for children by 2 years of age has been relatively stable, but disparities continue.
The 2024 version of the immunization schedule is available on the American Academy of Pediatrics website and the CDC website. A parent-friendly vaccine schedule for children and adolescents will be available early next year.
Want to make sure your kids are up to date on their immunizations? Kids First Pediatrics can help. Raleigh (919) 250-3478, Clayton (919) 267-1499.
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Article Source: AAP Approves Childhood and Adolescent Imunization Schedule for 2024 from Healthychildren.org
*This article is informational but is not a substitute for medical attention or information from your provider.