Question
My baby is five months old. At four months, I went to get vaccinated, and the hospital recommended a preventive vaccine. This month, they said I should get another one, and that I need to get three in a row. Some people say it’s okay not to get it. Should I get the pneumococcal vaccine for my newborn?
Answer
The pneumococcal vaccine can only prevent a few types of viruses that cause pneumonia, and there are countless pathogens that can lead to pneumonia. Therefore, the range of prevention is very limited, and it’s okay not to get it. Children have their own immune system. Pneumonia is not a disease they can’t see clearly, nor is it a disease they don’t need vaccinations for. By the age of six months, their immune system is already established, and they should pay attention to keeping warm and maintaining hygiene conditions. Vaccination itself can disrupt the natural immune system of children in the immunization environment. Unless it’s a contagious disease that the state requires vaccination for, I believe there’s no need to get other immunization shots.