Flu vaccine gets updated guides

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for the 2012-2013 flu season include an updated vaccination schedule for children aged 6 months through 8 years.

During their first season of vaccination, those children should get 2 doses of flu vaccine, given at least 4 weeks apart. Children who received at least 2 doses of seasonal vaccine since July 1, 2010, need only 1 dose of vaccine in 2012-13.

Children who last received seasonal (trivalent) flu vaccine before the 2010-2011 season but did not receive a vaccine containing the 2009 H1N1 antigen require 2 doses in 2012-2013, even if they received 2 doses of seasonal flu vaccine before the 2010-2011 season.