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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced its recommended 2013 adult immunization schedule that includes important updates to the pneumococcal, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis), and influenza vaccines. Because current vaccination rates are low, ACIP also urges health care providers to regularly assess patient vaccination histories and implement intervention strategies to increase adherence. This recommendation will be published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the flagship journal of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
For the first time, information on the use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was added to the schedule. PCV13 should be used with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for immunocompromised adults, or those with diseases such as HIV, cancer, or advanced kidney disease. The schedule includes information on timing the administration of the vaccines and also clarifies which adults would need one or two doses of PPSV23 before the age of 65.
Recommendations for the Tdap vaccine have expanded to include routine vaccination of adults aged 65 or older and for pregnant women to receive Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy. The ideal timing of Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is in the third trimester, between 27 and 36 weeks gestation. This recommendation was made to safeguard the pregnant woman and her baby, as protective maternal antibodies will pass to the fetus. Infants are too young for the vaccination but are at the highest risk for severe illness or death from pertussis.
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For the first time, information on the use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was added to the schedule. PCV13 should be used with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for immunocompromised adults, or those with diseases such as HIV, cancer, or advanced kidney disease. The schedule includes information on timing the administration of the vaccines and also clarifies which adults would need one or two doses of PPSV23 before the age of 65.
Recommendations for the Tdap vaccine have expanded to include routine vaccination of adults aged 65 or older and for pregnant women to receive Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy. The ideal timing of Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is in the third trimester, between 27 and 36 weeks gestation. This recommendation was made to safeguard the pregnant woman and her baby, as protective maternal antibodies will pass to the fetus. Infants are too young for the vaccination but are at the highest risk for severe illness or death from pertussis.
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