Global Variation in the Recommended Age for Influenza Vaccination in Children

Abstract

Influenza vaccination is critical to prevent severe influenza in children, especially for whom with high risks and underlying diseases. However, vaccination schedule is not standardized, and different in each country/region. In Japan, vaccination is available for children aged 6 months and older and is recommended from the age of 1 year. In the United States, routine annual influenza vaccination for all children aged 6 months and older are recommended. In the United Kingdom, routine influenza vaccination has been recommended for children after the age of 2 to 3 years, and typically administered as a single dose of live intranasal vaccine. Many countries and regions considered the high-risk groups and recommended the once, but twice shot with the appropriate interval are recommended.