All children need flu shot, immunization experts recommend

In the midst of a busy flu season, a new recommendation comes that all children from 6 months to the age of 18 receive a flu shot.

The recommendation comes from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of 15 immunization experts that guides Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on issues such as these.

The expanded recommendation is to take effect as soon as feasible, but no later than the 2009 - 2010 influenza season, according to the CDC. This recommendation increases the number of children recommended for vaccination by approximately 30 million.

Previously, it was recommended that individuals at high risk for complications for the flu should be vaccinated. That included children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years (59 months). However, anyone who wants to reduce their risk of getting the flu can be vaccinated.

"The Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Le Bonheur strongly endorses this new recommendation as the best way to prevent influenza in children and expects it to also reduce transmission of the influenza virus to susceptible adults from children. We've long expected this recommendation," said Dr. Keith English, chief of Infectious Diseases.