Practical Pediatric and Adolescent Immunization Update

Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in vaccinating children. Recent guidelines of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice propose changes to some vaccine schedules and new vaccines have been identified. It is incumbent upon NPs to be aware of these new recommendations to provide the most up-to-date care and to do his or her part in meeting the immunization goals put forth by Healthy People 2010. Barriers to vaccinating children are discussed, along with disparities in immunization status across the U.S. population.