INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- This afternoon, in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an updated recommendation that infants and young children should receive four doses of the vaccine Prevnar. Prevnar is the only vaccine for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease, such as meningitis, in infants and young children.
Prevnar was originally approved for routine administration in 4-doses given at 2, 4, 6 and 12-15 months of age. In March, however, CDC recommended a temporary suspension of the 3rd and 4th doses of the vaccine due to supply limitations. On July 9, due to increased supply of the vaccine, CDC recommended resumption of the 3rd Prevnar dose. With today's announcement physicians and other health care providers should also resume administration of the 4th dose.
The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA) is encouraging all parents to contact their children's physicians to determine if they need to schedule an appointment to receive any missed doses of Prevnar.
"Because many meningitis symptoms are commonly seen with less severe illness, diagnosis can be difficult," said James H. Conway, MD, MFA Medical Advisor and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine. "Delays in recognizing meningitis cases can be tragic. An otherwise healthy child can be dead within hours of the first appearance of symptoms. Prevnar has shown that it can effectively prevent pneumococcal meningitis in young children. It is making a difference. It is saving lives."
Children younger than 5 years with chronic illnesses or immune system disorders should receive first priority for receiving catch-up doses, followed by children younger than 2 years who have not yet received any doses of Prevnar and then children older than 2 years who have not received at least 3 doses. A full schedule for catch-up doses can be found at the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr .
According to the CDC, invasive disease caused by the bacteria strains contained in the Prevnar has declined by 94% since the vaccine was introduced in 2000. In 2002, Prevnar prevented 12,700 cases of invasive disease among U.S. children younger than 5 years.
The Meningitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to supporting sufferers of meningitis and their families; increasing awareness of meningitis and meningitis-related issues; and advocating for the development and use of vaccines and other means of treating and/or preventing meningitis.
Meningitis Foundation of AmericaCONTACT: Ryan Pike of Meningitis Foundation of America, +1-317-595-6395
