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

Posted on Wed, 9 Oct 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Oct 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad