health
2 meningococcal vaccines approved for young children
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 22, 2011
The two available meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY-CRM and MenACWY-D) now can be used to immunize children ages 2 to 10 who have an increased risk of developing meningococcal disease, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Aug. 5 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The recommendation was made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in January. Before this guidance, only MenACWY-D was recommended for use in this age group.
A two-dose vaccine series is suggested for children with terminal complement deficiencies, anatomic asplenia or functional asplenia. One dose is advised for youths who have an increased risk due to travel in countries where the disease is prevalent, such as sub-Saharan Africa.
The report is online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/22/hlbf0822.htm.
