The annual vaccination schedule released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now available online in the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to Medscape Medical News, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended larger roles for the human papillomavirus and hepatitis B vaccines this year.
Specifically, the CDC now recommends that boys ages 11 to 12 should be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus and boys and men from 13 to 21 should be offered a catch-up vaccination for the sexually transmitted disease. Doing so will supplement the efforts to eliminate HPV by vaccinating young girls.
New recommendations also emerged for the hepatitis B vaccine, known as HBV. Adults younger than 60 years who have diabetes should receive the vaccine as close to their diagnosis as possible, the CDC said. As for adults over 60, HBV vaccinations should be given after an analysis of their need, based on blood glucose levels, risk for hepatitis B infection and likelihood of an immune response.
Pregnant women have new guidelines as well, with the CDC recommending tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis boosters after 20 weeks of gestation. Getting the booster shot will protect the infant from pertussis through maternal transfer, the CDC said.
Other recommendations can be found on the published list.
The immunization schedule is created from an evidence-based process that weighs a combination of considerations, such as cost versus benefits, the values and preferences of affected populations and the economic effects of the vaccinations. Medscape also noted that the immunization schedule for adolescents was combined with the adult version this year.
