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What’s New With Pediatric Vaccines?

What’s New With Pediatric Vaccines?

This month, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published updated immunization schedules for 2023. COVID-19 vaccine has been added to the routine pediatric immunization schedule for ages 6 months and up, among other important additions. There have been several recent changes to vaccine products for pediatric patients as well.  

ACIP Immunization Schedule Changes 

The changes in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ pediatric immunizations schedule  from 2022 to 2023 are:  

  • COVID-19 row: COVID-19 vaccination now recommended from age 6 months–18 years. 
  • Pneumococcal conjugate row: PCV15 has been added. It is interchangeable with PCV13. 
  • IPV row: A “See Notes” section has been added to the column for people aged 17–18 years. 

The changes in the catch-up immunization schedule for 2023 are:  

  • Pneumococcal conjugate row: Language has been revised. The text now reads “This dose is only necessary for children aged 12–59 months regardless of risk, or aged 60–71 months with any risk, who received 3 doses before age 12 months.” 

The changes in the immunization by medical indication schedule for 2023 are: 

  • COVID-19 row: A new row was added to summarize COVID-19 vaccination recommendations by medical conditions or other indications.  

View the full MMWR here. 

Product Changes

The changes in routine pediatric vaccine products from 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 are:  

  • MMR: Priorix added. 
  • Meningococcal conjugate (MCV4): Menactra discontinued, and MenQuadfi added. 
  • Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15): Vaxneuvance added. 
  • Flu (IIV4):  
    • Flucelvax (multi-dose vial): now available at 6 mo+ instead of 2 yrs+.  
    • Flucelvax (single dose syringe): now available at 6 mo+ instead of 2 yrs+. 
    • Fluzone (multi-dose vial): now available at 6 mo+ instead of 3 yrs+.  
    • Afluria (pre-filled syringe): 0.25 mL pre-filled syringe for 6 – 36 months no longer available. 0.5 mL pre-filled syringe available at 3 yrs+.
    • Afluria (multi-dose vial): available at 6 months – 3 yrs for 0.25 mL dose and at 3 yrs+ for 0.5mL dose.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers customizable reminder and recall resources for your practice to help ensure children are caught up on routine vaccinations. 
 
If you are not already a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider, enroll your practice in the VFC program using this guide.