Vaccination and Immunization

Saying that child immunization rates in America are a disaster, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter on Monday called for universal immunization registries.

It has been difficult to determine the impact of influenza infection on infants and young children, because annual outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus infection often overlap influenza outbreaks. But careful epidemiologic tests, combined with accurate, simple-to-perform viral diagnostic studies, have now clearly demonstrated that young children--particularly those younger than 2 years--are hospitalized because of influenza at a rate that equals or exceeds the influenza hospitalization rate for the elderly.

2004 immunization schedule for January to June 2004

Keeping track of changes in immunization recommendations is the best way to be certain that our patients receive maximal benefit.

The biggest change in this year's schedule is the addition of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Many families feel that pediatricians just don't listen when they try to voice concerns about vaccines. Our recommendation: Identify each family's specific issues, target your response accordingly, and use a nonconfrontational approach. Time-consuming lectures on big subjects like immunology generally aren't needed.