CDC: Flu shot for all 6 months and older

ATLANTA, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted Wednesday to recommend a flu shot for everyone over the age of six months, officials said.

The ACIP, which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine issues, voted on the new recommendation during its meeting in Atlanta.

The expanded recommendation is scheduled to take effect in the 2010-2011 influenza season, a statement released by the CDC said.

Prior to the new committee recommendations the focus was on seasonal flu vaccines for higher-risk persons, children six months through age 18 and those in close contact with higher-risk persons.

One of the reasons cited in favor of a universal vaccine recommendation is that many people in "higher risk" groups are unaware of their risk factor or that they are recommended for vaccination, the officials said.

Also factoring into the decision is that data collected over the course of the H1N1 pandemic indicates that some people who do not currently have a specific recommendation for vaccination may also be at higher risk of serious flu-related complications, including those people who are obese, post-partum women and people in certain racial/ethnic groups.