Immunizations: current recommendations.

Family physicians can prevent the spread of some infections in their patients by assessing immunization status and administering the appropriate vaccines. Several changes in the recommended schedule for vaccine administration have occurred in the past few years: a vaccine for varicella is now available, and acellular pertussis vaccine is now recommended in children, starting at two months of age. Inactivated poliovirus immunization is recommended for consideration in the general population, not just in select groups. Current knowledge of the recommended vaccine schedules, as well as the controversies relating to these recommendations, will help family physicians make decisions about immunization practices for their patients.