Immunization News and Advisories

Date: August 24, 2007
To: SSV Providers
Re: Adolescent Immunization Update

Since 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued several new vaccine recommendations for adolescents. The recommendations and availability status through the State-Supplied Vaccine Program are outlined below:

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)

Revised recommendations for meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) were recently published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), and include routine vaccination of all children at 11-12 years of age and catch-up vaccination for all children 13-18 years of age with 1 dose of MCV4 at the earliest opportunity. This recommendation replaces the previous recommendations of the ACIP for routine vaccination with MCV4 of children at 11-12 years of age, at 15 years of age (before high school entry), and for college freshman living in dorms. State-supplied MCV4 vaccine is now available for all adolescents 11-18 years of age, and may be ordered with your next monthly order. The MMWR article can be found at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5631a3.htm.

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)

Vaccine State-supplied Tdap vaccine is available for all adolescents 11-18 years of age, with routine administration at 7th grade entry (11-12 years of age), and catch-up for those 13-18 years of age who have not yet received Tdap. ACIP recommendations for Tdap can be found at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a1.htm?s_cid=rr5503a1_e.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

Vaccine Two doses of varicella vaccine are recommended for all children. The first dose is recommended at 12 months of age with a second doses at 4-6 years (kindergarten entry). Catch-up vaccination with the second dose is also recommended for all children who previously received only one dose. State supplied vaccine is available for routine administration of a second dose at 7th grade entry (11-12 years of age), as well as for second dose catch-up of adolescents 13-18 years of age. ACIP recommendations for varicella can be found at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5604a1.htm.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine

On June 29, 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued recommendations for use of HPV vaccine for the prevention of human papillomavirus and cervical cancer in females. HPV vaccine is licensed for females 9-26 years of age. State-supplied vaccine is available for routine vaccination at 11-12 years of age and catch-up vaccination for females 13-18 years of age. ACIP Recommendations for HPV can be found at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5602a1.htm?s_cid=rr5602a1_e