The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is alerting parents that there will be a delay in getting flu shots for children 6 months of age through age 3 until at least November. Sanofi pasteur, the sole manufacturer of injectable flu vaccine (FluZone) approved for children 3 years of age and younger, announced a shipment delay. Plenty of FluZone will be available, but pediatricians will receive most of their FluZone supply in November and December.
The AAP is providing pediatricians with a letter to give to parents explaining the delay in distribution and encouraging them to bring their young children back for vaccinations later in the year. The flu season does not usually peak until late December through March, so children will still benefit greatly from receiving the vaccine into December, January and beyond.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children 6 months of age to age 5 receive the flu vaccine. Those receiving it the first time need two doses four weeks apart.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.