Question
A parent inquires about their 35-month-old son’s (who is about to turn 3) vaccination schedule, including the timing for the meningitis, influenza, HIB, Japanese encephalitis, and inactivated hepatitis A and B vaccines.
Answer
The HIB vaccine (b-hemolytic streptococcus vaccine) is mandatory to prevent diseases caused by b-hemolytic streptococcus infection. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is used to prevent Japanese encephalitis, and the inactivated hepatitis A and B vaccine is used to prevent hepatitis A and B. Newborns typically receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, at 1 month old, and at 6 months old to develop immunity. China is a high-incidence country for hepatitis B, and treatment is complex. Moreover, individuals who are infected may face discrimination in job interviews later in life. Therefore, those who have not been vaccinated or have not developed antibodies after vaccination should receive timely booster shots.