Vaccines for children

The state Division of Public Health wants to expand a program that provides most childhood vaccines free to participating health clinics and private doctors. Several newer recommended shots are not part of the program, which covers children of all income levels, regardless of insurance status. Here are the five vaccines the state wants to add:

INFLUENZA VACCINE: Flu shots are not new, but the state needs additional funding to buy seasonal flu shots for children between the ages of 2 and 5.

PNEUMOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE (PREVNAR): This vaccine, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000, protects against streptococcus pneumonia bacterium, which can cause pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. Pneumococcal disease is responsible for up to 40 percent of middle ear infections in children. Four doses are recommended by age 2.

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE (GARDASIL): Approved last year, Gardasil fights strains of the virus known to cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers in women. Recommended for girls starting at age 11 or 12. Three doses should be given by age 19.

ROTAVIRUS VACCINE (ROTATEQ): Also approved last year, RotaTeq protects infants against rotavirus, the main cause of "stomach flu" in children. Three doses are recommended by 32 weeks of age.

MENINGOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE (MENACTRA): This shot, approved in 2005, provides 10 years of protection against meningococcal disease, which causes invasive meningitis. One dose is recommended at age 11 or 12, 15 years of age or for college freshmen living in dormitories.

(N.C. DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH; U.S. FDA)