Health
Advisory panel expands number of people who should get meningitis shots
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 23, 2007
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted last month to endorse the immunization of all adolescents ages 11 to 18 with the meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Because of supply issues, the shot previously had been recommended only for those ages 11 and 12, those entering high school, and those at high risk, such as college freshmen living in dormitories. High-risk groups still should receive it, but there are now sufficient supplies to vaccinate far more people.
The ACIP also recommended that those who have not received the hepatitis A vaccine be given it as prophylaxis if exposed to this virus.
The committee is a panel of experts convened by the Dept. of Health and Human Services to advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations become CDC policy after they are accepted by the agency's director and published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/07/23/hlbf0723.htm.
