Below is a news release on a policy statement appearing in the the January issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: January 3, 2005, 12:01 am (ET)

CHICAGO - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued the recommended 2005 childhood immunization schedule for the United States. The statement represents unified recommendations from the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Compared to the 2004 schedule, no major changes have been made in this year's schedule. However, licensure applications have been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for a meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine and two new preparations of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DtaP) vaccine. The AAP is considering recommendations for use of these vaccines in adolescents. If new recommendations emerge, all three groups will release a revised midyear schedule.

In May 2004, the AAP officially expanded its recommendations for annual influenza (flu) immunizations to include children ages six through 23 months, as well as close contacts including household members and caregivers of children under age two and women pregnant during the flu season. Children six through 23 months of age and women pregnant during the flu season remain high-risk groups that should receive the flu vaccine.

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.