Immunizations

ACIP Releases Annual Immunization Schedule

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released its updates to the annual immunization schedules for 2019.

The Adult Immunization Schedule, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, were updated based upon a review of currently available data, including disease epidemiology, vaccine efficacy and safety, and feasibility of program implementation.

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Changes to the Adult Immunization Schedule include:

  • Adults up to age 49 years may now receive the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).
  • The new single-antigen recombinant hepatitis B vaccine with a novel cytosine-phosphate-guanine 1018 oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant (Heplisave-B, Dynavax) is now recommended for adults aged 18 years and older.
  • Homelessness has been added as an indication for routine hepatitis A vaccination with a 2-dose series of single-antigen hepatitis A vaccine.

 

“By consistently using the Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2019, and implementing the standards for adult immunization practice, providers can reduce the burden of illnesses, hospitalizations, and mortality associated with vaccine-preventable diseases among their adult patients,” the authors wrote.

The updated Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules, published in Pediatrics, were approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the ACIP and the CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Changes to the Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules include:

  • Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for children aged 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.
  • LAIV is now recommended in children 24 months of age and older.
  • New information on the use of Tdap in pregnant adolescents 13 through 18 years old has been added.

 

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Kim DK, Hunter P. Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2019. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170(3):182-92.

Maldonado YA, Zaoutis TE, Banerjee R, et al. Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules: United States, 2019 [published online February 5, 2019]. Pediatrics. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-0065.