When should influenza vaccination be started in infants?

When should influenza vaccination be started in infants?

• A. At birth
• B. At 2 years
• C. After 18 months
• D. Above 6 months, annually

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that influenza vaccination for infants starts after 6 months of age and is given every year. Infants younger than 6 months are not vaccinated because the vaccine isn’t proven safe or effective in that age group, so the earliest you begin is after they turn 6 months. Immunity from the vaccine wanes and flu strains evolve each season, so vaccination is repeated annually before the flu season. In practice, you start once the child is over 6 months old and continue on a yearly schedule.

The key idea is that influenza vaccination for infants starts after 6 months of age and is given every year. Infants younger than 6 months are not vaccinated because the vaccine isn’t proven safe or effective in that age group, so the earliest you begin is after they turn 6 months. Immunity from the vaccine wanes and flu strains evolve each season, so vaccination is repeated annually before the flu season. In practice, you start once the child is over 6 months old and continue on a yearly schedule.