[Immunisation schedule of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics: 2017 recommendations]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• The Spanish Association of Paediatrics' Advisory Committee on Vaccines (CAV-AEP) annually updates optimal childhood immunisation schedules for Spain.
• Key childhood vaccines like pneumococcal and varicella are funded in regional programmes.
• Recommendations extend to non-funded vaccines including rotavirus, meningococcal B, and meningococcal ACWY.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the CAV-AEP's recommended optimal immunisation schedule for children in Spain.
• To highlight funded and non-funded vaccination strategies.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for vaccine administration timing and coverage.

Main Methods:

• Review of current evidence on vaccine efficacy and safety.
• Analysis of existing funded and recommended non-funded vaccination programmes in Spain.
• Formulation of a comprehensive immunisation schedule by the CAV-AEP.

Main Results:

• Recommended funded schedule: 2+1 strategy (2, 4, 11-12 months) for hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HB) and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines.
• Booster doses recommended for DTaP (6 years) and polio (Tdap vaccine for adolescents and pregnant women).
• Two-dose schedules for MMR (12 months, 2-4 years) and varicella (15 months, 2-4 years).
• Emphasis on improving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in 12-year-old girls and providing information to male adolescents.
• ACWY meningococcal vaccine recommended for adolescents.
• Meningococcal B vaccine recommended with a 3+1 scheme for unfunded immunisation.
• Rotavirus vaccination recommended for all infants.

Conclusions:

• The CAV-AEP provides an optimal immunisation schedule based on current evidence.
• Improvements are needed in HPV vaccination coverage and adolescent recommendations.
• The CAV-AEP advocates for the inclusion of meningococcal B vaccine in the funded schedule.