Panel recommends flu shots for kids

ATLANTA (AP) _ Children ages 2 to 5 should get flu shots, an advisory panel said Wednesday, expanding the age groups targeted for protection from the virus. <br/><br/>The Advisory Committee on Immunization

Wednesday, February 22nd 2006, 12:45 pm

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ Children ages 2 to 5 should get flu shots, an advisory panel said Wednesday, expanding the age groups targeted for protection from the virus.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously approved the recommendation, which covers 5.3 million healthy U.S. children.

The panel's recommendations are routinely adopted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issues vaccination guidelines to doctors and hospitals.

Also on Wednesday morning, the committee considered issuing a statement encouraging all Americans to get flu shots. But the group narrowly rejected that proposal saying more study and planning is needed.

Flu shots are already recommended for children ages 6 months to 23 months, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with chronic health conditions, along with a few other groups.