Question
At four and a half years old, does my child still need vaccinations? My daughter is four and a half, she has been in good health, hardly gets sick throughout the year, and her immune system is strong. With more and more vaccinations available, which ones are important? When can I stop giving them? Is it true that too many vaccinations can be harmful? Additional information: My daughter received a hepatitis B booster shot yesterday, and the doctor said she doesn’t need to get another one until she’s seven years old.
Answer
Mandatory vaccination is designed to control sources of infection, interrupt transmission routes, protect susceptible populations, prevent all infectious diseases, and is required for children to enroll in school or study abroad. It is recommended to consult the local health department for timely vaccination of your child. Vaccinations should not be administered when a child has a cold or fever; they need to stop taking medication for a week before vaccination, maintain a reasonable diet, enhance care, and improve the child’s own immune system.