Hi Doctor, My Daughter Is 2 Years 9 Months Old.

Posted on Wed, 30 Oct 2019

Question: Hi Doctor,
My daughter is 2 years 9 months old. She has got all the mandatory vaccinations done till now. Her pediatrician has suggested 2 optional vaccinations as below:
1. Flu - Doctor has suggested to get her vaccinated every year for Flu
2. Meningitis - Doctor has suggested to get this done once for lifetime

Please suggest should we get these 2 optional vaccinations done for her or these are not necessary?

Regards,
Ankur

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Better to get vaccinated with influenza and meningococcal vaccines

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for asking on this platform

I can understand your concern. Based on the type of infections, it's occurance and availability of vaccines; vaccines are categorised into compulsory and optional.
Flu is common and more serious in small children. Flu vaccines are recommended for children between the age of 6 months and 5 years. As flu virus changes its strain by mutation the vaccine companies modify the vaccines according to newer strain and that's why annual vaccination is needed till 5 years.
The same applies for meningitis vaccine also. Meningococcal vaccine can be given after 2 years of age and it provides life long immunity. Hence single dose suffices.
I suggest you to get vaccinated for both these as it helps in prevention of deadly diseases.

Please feel free to ask if you have any more queries.
Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad