As they do every year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) just released an updated immunization schedule.
And just like in most other recent years, there were few big changes or announcements.
That means that most kids won’t need any extra shots when they go to their next well check up with their pediatrician or to start school.
What Are the Changes in the 2018 Immunization Schedules?
There are some changes though…
- A third dose of MMR is now recommended for some people during outbreaks of mumps.
- MenHibrix was removed from the schedule, which was expected, as this combination meningococcal vaccine for high risk kids was discontinued in 2016 because of low demand. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that any kids will be left unprotected. They can just get one of the other meningococcal vaccines if they need it, with a separate Hib vaccine, just like other infants.
- Menomune was removed from the schedule, which was expected, as this older meningococcal vaccine was discontinued in 2017, as it was replaced with the newer meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra and Menveo).
- Shingrix, the new recombinant shingles vaccine is added to the schedule for adults aged 50 or older. They should get 2 doses 2 to 6 months apart, even if they have had shingles in the past or have had the older Zostavax already. And Shingrix becomes the preferred shingles vaccine for those who are at least 60 years old.
The other changes are to the formatting of the schedule and schedule footnotes.
“The schedule footnotes are presented in a new simplified format. The goal was to remove unnecessary text while preserving all pertinent information and maintaining clarity. This was accomplished by a transition from complete sentences to bullets, removal of unnecessary or redundant language, and formatting changes.”
CDC on Changes to This Year’s Schedule
So, unless your child is in a mumps outbreak, the new immunization schedule shouldn’t mean any extra vaccines.
What to Know About the 2018 Immunization Schedule
The 2018 immunization schedule from the CDC, AAP, ACOG, and AAFP incorporates the latest recommendations from the ACIP, including that folks in a mumps outbreak might need a third dose of MMR.
More on the 2018 Immunization Schedule
- CDC – Changes to This Year’s Schedule
- CDC – Changes to This Year’s Adult Schedule
- AAP – 2018 immunization schedules released
- CDC, AAFP Release 2018 Immunization Schedules
- CDC – Immunization Schedules
- Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2018
- Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older, United States, 2018