2011 Immunization Schedules for Children and Adolescents Published

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published the 2011 recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents in Pediatrics.

Some of the changes since the 2010 schedule include:

• new guidelines for giving the hepatitis B vaccine to children who didn't receive the recommended dose at birth;

• a supplemental dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for all children aged 14 through 59 months who have already received the PCV7 series;

• updated recommendations for influenza vaccination based on the child's vaccination history;

• a dose of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for children aged 7 through 10 years who are not completely immunized against pertussis.