Mounting research suggests that, if more individuals received
the flu vaccine, the whole population would be better protected.
The recommendation is especially important for children, who
tend to pass infection to older individuals, according to Walter
Orenstein, MD, director of Emory University's Program for
Vaccine Policy and Development. A recent conference on the flu
vaccine policy questioned whether the current flu vaccine
strategy is effective. As of now, babies 6 months to 23 months
old, individuals over 50, and all persons with chronic health
problems are advised to get vaccinated to ward off infection. A
universal vaccine recommendation may be a good idea, but at-risk
individuals should be first in line. Also, a strategy needs to
be in place for how to distribute it. Health care experts
support "moving toward universal influenza immunization," said
pediatrician Carol Baker, MD, but "the final consensus was that
it should be a stepwise process."