Childhood immunization guidelines: current and future.

Recent additions to the immunization schedule include acellular pertussis vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine for all infants and selected adolescents. The third dose of OPV is recommended at 6 months of age and the first dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months. A new vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b has been licensed. Children aged 6 months and older with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease should receive influenza vaccine. Children aged 2 years and older with asplenia, immunosuppression, and nephrotic syndrome may be candidates for pneumococcal immunization.