Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–March 1, 2010.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Dept of Nursing Practice and Policy shares the following information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices(ACIP) – a federal panel of health scientists and public health experts that makes recommendations to the US government on immunizations – is recommending that starting in the fall of 2010, influenza vaccine be recommended for everyone, regardless of age or risk factor for influenza. This recommendation came after hours of discussion and debate regarding the scientific data from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic during the ACIP’s most recent meeting Feb. 24-25. The recommendation of “universal influenza vaccine” is hoped to alleviate some of the confusion and logistical difficulty of identifying high risk groups, as well as simplifying the message for the public. It also reflects the fact that people under the age of 65 were at much higher risk for complications and death from H1N1. In related news, earlier this week the World Health Organization announced a recommendation that 2009 H1N1 be one of the three strains in the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine.
Source: nursingworld.org
