TUESDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a statement warning parents in the United States that delivery of influenza vaccines will be delayed until at least November. The delay affects children aged 6 months to 3 years.
The only injectable vaccine approved for use in children aged 3 and younger is FluZone, and the manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, announced this year's shipment would be delayed, although there are plenty of supplies.
Pediatricians can expect to receive supplies of FluZone in November and December, which is still in time to give children protection ahead of the peak flu season starting in late December through March. "Children will still benefit greatly from receiving the vaccine into December, January and beyond," according to an AAP statement.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children aged 6 months to 5 years be vaccinated annually against flu, with those being vaccinated for the first time requiring two shots four weeks apart.
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