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Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2020-2021
Insights
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual influenza vaccination for children 6 months and older. Antiviral treatment is advised for high-risk children and may be considered for others with confirmed or suspected influenza.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Influenza poses a significant health risk to children, particularly during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides updated guidance for the 2020-2021 season.
- Protecting vulnerable populations from respiratory illnesses is a key public health priority.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update recommendations for influenza vaccine and antiviral medication use in children.
- To provide guidance on influenza prevention and treatment strategies for the 2020-2021 season.
- To emphasize the importance of influenza immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of current evidence and guidelines on influenza prevention and treatment.
- Development of consensus-based recommendations by the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.
- Consideration of the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
Main Results:
- Routine influenza immunization is recommended for all children 6 months of age and older without contraindications.
- Any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine can be used, with no preference for specific products.
- Antiviral treatment is recommended for hospitalized, severely ill, or high-risk children with influenza.
- Antiviral treatment may be considered for eligible symptomatic outpatients initiated within 48 hours of onset.
Conclusions:
- Annual influenza vaccination is a critical intervention for children's health, especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
- Prompt antiviral treatment is crucial for children with severe or complicated influenza infections.
- These recommendations aim to reduce the burden of influenza and protect children from its complications.
Abstract:
This statement updates the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for the routine use of influenza vaccine and antiviral medications in the prevention and treatment of influenza in children during the 2020-2021 season.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends routine influenza immunization of all children without medical contraindications, starting at 6 months of age. Influenza vaccination is an important intervention to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses during the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Any licensed, recommended, age-appropriate vaccine available can be administered, without preference for one product or formulation over another.Antiviral treatment of influenza with any licensed, recommended, age-appropriate influenza antiviral medication is recommended for children with suspected or confirmed influenza who are hospitalized, have severe or progressive disease, or have underlying conditions that increase their risk of complications of influenza. Antiviral treatment may be considered for any previously healthy, symptomatic outpatient not at high risk for influenza complications in whom an influenza diagnosis is confirmed or suspected, if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset, and for children whose siblings or household contacts either are younger than 6 months or have a high-risk condition that predisposes them to complications of influenza.
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