Childhood influenza vaccination coverage--United States, 2003-04 influenza season.

Children aged <2 years are at increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations. Beginning in 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) encouraged that, when feasible, children aged 6-23 months and household contacts and out-of-home caregivers for children aged <2 years receive influenza vaccinations each year. Beginning with the 2004-05 influenza season, ACIP strengthened the encouragement to a recommendation. Other children recommended to receive influenza vaccination include children aged 6 months-18 years who have certain high-risk medical conditions, are on chronic aspirin therapy, or who are household contacts of persons at high risk for influenza complications. This report provides an assessment of childhood influenza vaccination coverage for the 2003-04 influenza season, the second year of the ACIP encouragement for influenza vaccination of children aged 6-23 months. The findings demonstrate that vaccination coverage increased from the previous influenza season but remained low, with substantial variability among states and urban areas.