ATLANTA — A government panel is recommending that virtually all Americans get a flu shot each year, starting next fall.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had gradually been expanding its recommendation for flu shots — 85 percent of Americans were already included.
On Wednesday, the panel voted to recommend a seasonal-flu vaccination for everyone except babies younger than 6 months and those with egg allergies or other unusual conditions.
The panel’s recommendation now goes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC usually follows the panel’s advice.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization announced Wednesday it was too early to declare that the H1N1 pandemic had peaked. It urged nations around the world to remain vigilant.
Although the spread of the virus has slowed or is declining in many parts of the world, including the United States and Western Europe, experts remain concerned because the virus started to spread in parts of West Africa and winter starts soon in the Southern Hemisphere, the agency said.
The decision was based on the recommendations of a 15-member emergency committee that met for two hours Tuesday to assess the situation.
