Government panel recommends all children get flu shot next year

Teri Okita, CBS News

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Feb 27, 2008 at 4:50 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 27, 2008 at 4:50 PM EST

(CBS) A federal advisory panel now recommends all children get flu shots. That means 30 million more will get vaccinated.

It would be one of the largest flu vaccine expansions in U.S. history.

A government advisory panel is recommending almost every child get a flu shot. The current recommendation is for kids 6 months to 5 years old. The panel now wants it pushed all the way up to 18 years old.

Dr. Romona Sunderwirth of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt thinks it's a good idea.

"It really does protect the children from illnesses that can be lethal or very debilitating,” Dr. Sunderwirth said.

Children 5 to 18 years old tend to get the flu more than other age groups. Experts believe getting a larger number of kids vaccinated could slow down the spread of the illness.

The flu is now widespread in every state except for Florida, and while the current vaccine has not worked well against this year's strains officials plan to overhaul it for next season.

That's when the panel wants doctors to start following the new recommendation, which could mean less flu and less time lost for families.

"Days lost from school, days lost from work having to take care of the children,” Dr. Sunderwirth said.

Some parents are ahead of the curve. Arlene Anderson makes sure her 9-year-old daughter gets vaccinated every year.

Doctors don't think adopting the new policy will be a problem.

"I think the clinics can gear up to the meet the demand for the vaccines and the visits,” said Dr. Sunderwirth.

The advisory panel's decision still has to be approved by the Centers for Disease Control. It's expected the agency will.

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